Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Amirroham Shojaie ¹
• Reza Simbar ²

¹ Ph.D. student, Department of Political Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

² PhD Student, Department of International Relations, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction
The Gaza crisis, which turned into a full-scale war after the events of October 7, 2023, became the center of international attention. Different countries of the world, according to their internal and external requirements, adopted different approaches to this crisis and played a role according to these approaches. Meanwhile, the countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, each of them, according to their own interests and their attitude towards this crisis, has followed certain policies, the variety of which has sometimes been very different among these six countries. Among these diverse orientations, support for Hamas and other Palestinian groups, neutrality, support for Israel, etc., can be seen. Considering the diversity of foreign policies of this country in response to the extraordinary crisis, it seems that a single-level analysis is not suitable for explanation. Therefore, in this article, using the theory of neoclassical realism, which brings the tool of multilevel analysis and explains the differences. The central research question of this study is: What factors have influenced the foreign policy of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries toward the Gaza crisis (October 7, 2023), how have these factors manifested, and how can they be explained?
The findings underscore the significant role of domestic variables, particularly the perceptions and interpretations of political leaders and elites. This study adopts an analytical-explanatory methodology, drawing upon the most recent academic and media sources. Given the complexity of the current conflict in Gaza, the study argues that a multi-causal analytical framework is more effective in explaining the foreign policy behavior of GCC countries. Such a framework simultaneously considers structural pressures at the systemic level and internal dynamics at the unit level—including leadership perceptions and state-society relations.
One of the core contributions of neoclassical realism lies in its capacity to explain variations in the foreign policies of different states by incorporating both systemic-level factors and domestic-level dynamics. This theoretical framework is therefore particularly well-suited for analyzing complex cases. The Middle East, as a region characterized by deep-seated geopolitical, ideological, religious, and ethnic cleavages—alongside the involvement of extra-regional powers—presents a uniquely intricate environment for political analysis. The interplay of these multi-layered and often conflicting elements makes it especially challenging to interpret and predict foreign policy behavior in this context.
In the meantime, the relations between the Zionist regime and the Persian Gulf countries have had many ups and downs and are always influenced by various factors such as the Palestinian issue, their relations with America, the economic and political interests of these countries, the internal ideology and perceptions of the elites, and ... have been.  Among these factors, the issue of Palestine is an important issue that the countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council are forced to take a stand against. In this regard, the relations of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with Israel have historically been affected by the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, and the lack of an agreement between Palestine and Israel has played an important role in the non-normalization of the relations between these actors (Niakoui and Haji, 2019: 231).
The Al-Aqsa Storm operation came as a shock to the international community. Arguably, its most defining feature was the element of surprise. The Gaza war erupted at a time when significant shifts were anticipated in Arab-Israeli relations. Before the conflict, indicators suggested that the regional balance of power was tilting, particularly with the anticipated normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel—a development perceived as unfavorable to Iran. However, the outbreak of the war at least temporarily halted this trajectory. From a broader perspective, the crisis has exposed the diverse and divergent responses of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. These responses range from support for Hamas and other Palestinian factions to neutrality, and in some cases, overt or tacit support for Israel. This variation underscores a critical point: understanding the foreign policy behavior of GCC states amid the ongoing Gaza conflict necessitates a multifaceted analytical approach—one that accounts for both unit-level (domestic) and system-level (international) factors.
Materials and Methods
The research method is analytical-explanatory and relies on up-to-date library and media sources. The theory of neoclassical realism has also been used to analyze the foreign policy of the actors.
Results and Discussion
In a general division, it can be said that the general and common approach of each of these six countries was based on opposing the killing of civilians, opposing human rights violations by Israel, and opposing the spread of conflicts to other parts of the region. Meanwhile, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait have openly opposed Israel and its inhumane actions, and Qatar, as the main mediator between the warring parties, has sought to elevate its regional and international role. The attitude of each of these six countries towards Hamas has also been one of the factors affecting their approach in this war.
Saudi Arabia's policy regarding this war has also been affected by several factors, including: the special prestige that Saudi Arabia has for itself among Arab countries (the need to take a stand in favor of the people of Gaza), opposition to Hamas on the one hand, and establishing a relationship with Israel on the other. general agreement with the destruction of Hamas, a growing economy, and de-traditionalization (to achieve which the spread of war in the region must be stopped). The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, however, have shown different positions compared to other countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, the reason for which can be found in the normalization of relations between these two actors with Israel under the name of the Ibrahim Accords.
Conclusion
In a general summary, it should be said that the approach of the six Arab countries mentioned to the ongoing war in Gaza has been affected by both systemic and internal factors. In relation to this issue, neoclassical realism can well explain the politics of these countries. Meanwhile, it seems that domestic and state-level factors (Unit-Level Government Variables) have played a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of these countries regarding the Gaza crisis.

Keywords

• Gaza Crisis
• Neoclassical Realism
• Gulf Cooperation Council
• Foreign Policy
• Unit-Level Government Variables

Main Subjects

• International Relations