Gulf States warn Israel’s ‘unchecked power’ now threatens regional stability

“Israel has unchecked power in the region and that is bad news for the global order,” Arab countries are warning, amid mounting concern that Tel Aviv’s increasingly aggressive posture could destabilise the Middle East and undo years of diplomatic rapprochement.

“What would stop them attacking Qatar, or Qatari interests – for example, in the gas fields it shares with Iran?” one Gulf official asked. “Unchecked, uncontrollable power is no longer an asset for us. It is a problem.”

The remarks, reported by The Telegraph, reflect a sharp shift in how Gulf Arab leaders perceive Israel, following its military strikes on Iran, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Speaking anonymously, one official said: “He appears to be beyond restraint – in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and now Iran.”

That statement was in reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government’s actions, including in occupied Palestinian territory, have alarmed even its recent allies.

Once considered a bulwark against Iranian influence, Israel is now being described by Gulf diplomats as “the most destabilising force” in the region. The war on Gaza has claimed more than 56,000 lives—most of them women and children—fuelled mass displacement, and drawn regional actors like Hezbollah and the Houthis into a broader confrontation.

“I used to tell the Israelis that we wanted to be partners in peace, but they only wanted to be partners in security,” a Gulf official lamented. “Right now, they’re not even a partner in that. They are a threat to stability.”

This growing scepticism risks unravelling the so called Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco normalise ties with Israel in 2020. The UAE, while still engaged diplomatically, has expressed concern over Netanyahu’s war cabinet and Tel Aviv’s disregard for Arab states’ security interests.

Mohammed Baharoon, director-general of Dubai-based think tank B’huth, warned: “Israel has the ability to strike any country.” Citing past tensions between Israel and Qatar, he asked: “What would stop them attacking Qatari interests?”

This sense of unease is spreading even among countries like Saudi Arabia, which reportedly had been on track to join the Abraham Accords. Riyadh’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran as “blatant aggression”, while Oman’s foreign minister described it as “illegal” and “unjustifiable”.

The irony is stark. Gulf officials, for years, pushed the US and Israel to act pre-emptively against Iran. But they have since normalised relations, favouring détente and rapprochement. Reflecting their evolving threat perception, Gulf states increasingly view Iran as a lesser threat; this shift was underscored by Saudi Arabia’s landmark visit to Tehran in April—the first by a senior official in 19 years—reportedly to assure Iranian leaders that an Israeli attack on their nuclear sites was unlikely.

In this climate, Israel’s aggression is seen as reckless. “The undisputed Sparta in the Middle East these days is Israel, backed by the United States,” said Daniel Benaim, an analyst at the Middle East Institute.

Many fear that Tel Aviv’s overreach, under US protection, risks dragging the region into a broader war. Iranian missiles struck the US base in Qatar after Israel’s attack, prompting fears of regional spillover. Even Gulf officials who once welcomed Israel’s assertiveness are now calling for restraint.

If Israel continues on this path, warned one diplomat, “unchecked power will not make the region safer – it will destroy what little security remains.”