With Israel currently at war on several fronts, including the Gaza Strip, South Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen, I thought It would be useful to look at the nations that surround Israel and learn or their origins as well as their current relationships with God’s chosen people. As you read on, consider that the total Arab population in the surrounding region exceeds 300 million people, far surpassing the approximately 7.1 million Jewish population in Israel.
The modern nations that surround the tiny nation of Israel – Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen – have deep historical roots that trace back to Biblical times. These regions were home to ancient civilizations, kingdoms, and empires that shaped the historical and religious narratives of the ancient Near East.
Today, each nation maintains a unique and often complex relationship with Israel, shaped by history, religion, and modern geopolitics. Below, we briefly explore their origins and evolution alongside their current stance toward Israel.
Egypt
In Biblical times, Egypt is central to Biblical narratives, from the Exodus story to its role as a refuge for Jesus. It was a dominant regional power for millennia. Following the fall of the Pharaohs, Egypt underwent conquest by various empires before modern independence in the 20th century.
Current Relationship with Israel
Egypt was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. While the relationship is largely pragmatic, focusing on security and economic cooperation, public sentiment in Egypt often remains critical of Israel.
Iran
In Biblical Times, Iran was known as Persia and was central to Biblical history, particularly for its role in the return of Jewish exiles under King Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4). Iran’s history spans the Achaemenid Empire, Islamic conquests, and the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which established the Islamic Republic.
Current Relationship with Israel
Iran is one of Israel’s most hostile adversaries, frequently calling for its destruction. The rivalry is marked by proxy conflicts, cyber warfare, and heightened tensions over nuclear ambitions.
Iraq
During Biblical times, ancient Mesopotamia, including Babylon and Assyria, played significant roles in Biblical history, such as the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE). After centuries of rule by empires, modern Iraq was formed after World War I and became independent in 1932.
Current Relationship with Israel
Iraq does not recognize Israel and maintains a hostile stance. Anti-Israel rhetoric is common, and Iraqi law prohibits relations with Israel.
Jordan
During Biblical times, the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab, and Edom occupied this region, often in conflict with Israel (Numbers 22–24). After centuries under various empires, Jordan was established as the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921 and became fully independent in 1946.
Current Relationship with Israel
Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and maintains a cooperative relationship, particularly in security and water-sharing agreements. However, popular sentiment in Jordan remains largely critical of Israel, influenced by the Palestinian refugee issue.
Lebanon
In Biblical times, Lebanon was home to the Phoenicians, whose cities, Tyre and Sidon, are frequently mentioned in the Bible. Its famed cedars were used in Solomon’s Temple. From Phoenician roots to Ottoman rule, Lebanon gained independence in 1943. Its history has been shaped by its diverse religious communities and external influences.
Current Relationship with Israel
Lebanon’s relationship with Israel is defined by conflict, particularly with Hezbollah, a militant group operating from southern Lebanon. Although an official state of war exists, direct clashes are sporadic and limited to border skirmishes.
Saudi Arabia
In Biblical times, Saudi Arabia was known as the land of the Ishmaelites, Arabia is referenced in connection with the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10). Largely isolated for centuries, it became the birthplace of Islam in the 7th century. Modern Saudi Arabia was unified under Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1932.
Current Relationship with Israel
While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel, relations have thawed in recent years due to shared concerns about Iran. The Abraham Accords of 2020 have paved the way for potential normalization, though full recognition is pending.
Syria
Syria, known as Aram, was home to the Arameans in Biblical times, with Damascus as a central city (Genesis 14:15). It frequently clashed with Israel in the Bible, most notably during the time of the divided kingdoms. Conquered by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines, Syria later became a center of the Islamic world. Modern Syria emerged after the French Mandate following World War I.
Current Relationship with Israel
Syria and Israel remain in a state of hostility. Despite a ceasefire following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, disputes over the Golan Heights persist, and Syria’s alliances with groups hostile to Israel, such as Hezbollah and Iran, keep tensions high.
Yemen
During Biblical times, Yemen corresponds to the kingdom of Sheba, noted for its wealth and trade networks (1 Kings 10). Yemen’s history includes ancient Himyarite rule, Christian influences, and eventual Islamic conversion. It unified as a modern state in 1990 after decades of division.
Current Relationship with Israel
Yemen does not recognize Israel and remains staunchly opposed to it. Yemeni political factions, including the Iran-backed Houthis, frequently express hostility toward Israel, and the conflict in Yemen has limited direct interaction.
Conclusion
The nations surrounding Israel are deeply tied to Biblical history, with connections that date back thousands of years. Their modern relationships with Israel are shaped by a mix of ancient enmities, religious influences, and contemporary geopolitical realities. While some nations have sought peace and cooperation, others remain entrenched in conflict, reflecting the enduring complexities of the region.
