Najam Interviewed on Saudi-Israel Relations
Professor Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus at Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies, was interviewed by Dawn News TV (in Urdu, on September 25, 2023) recent statements coming from Saudi Arabian and Israeli leaders on the possibility of Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel, and the possible impact of such a decision on other Muslim countries. Najam suggested that such recognition is now very much a possibility but it is not at all clear what the quid pro quo of such a deal might be.
Najam suggested that the so-called ‘Muslim street’ will be more important than governments in what is referred to as the ‘Muslim world’ in how such a decision would be received. Unless there is a clear articulation of how such recognition will benefit the Palestinian people, the Saudi leadership as well as leaders in other Muslim countries will worry about the street reaction in their countries. According to Najam, the importance to Israel of recignition by Saudi Arabia is not only related to Saudi wealth and strength but, even more so, relates to the possibility of other Muslim countries following the Saudi lead after such a recognition.
The full show can be viewed here.
Adil Najam is Dean Emeritus and Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and since July 2023 also serves as the President of WWF-International. He served as the Inaugural Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies from 2014-2022. He is also a former Vice-Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). His research focuses on issues of global public policy, especially those related to global climate change, South Asia, Muslim countries, environment and development, and human development. Read more about Najam on his Pardee School faculty profile.