If the political turmoil Brexit Britain seems confusing and at times potentially dangerous as it pits Leavers against Remainers and puts the UK on a diplomatic collision course with Europe, opinion writers invite us to spare a thought for a region even more prone to conflict and disaster: the Middle East.
With Israel's democracy in a state of flux after a second round of inconclusive elections and tensions flaring between Iran and Saudi Arabia following a missile attack on Saudi oil bases, it is a timely reminder that the fog of Brexit is distracting us from potentially much more serious calamities brewing elsewhere.
The Daily Telegraph
'The Iranian regime is regarded as an existential threat by the overwhelming majority of Israelis, and the fact that the election - the second in just six months - has ended in stalemate means that it is likely to be some time before a new government is formed.
'The result also raises questions about the future prospects of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who, having called the election after failing to secure sufficient seats in the previous poll in April, has not managed to break the deadlock ...
'Israeli politicians of all persuasions, though, will be under pressure to resolve their differences quickly as tensions continue to mount over allegations that Iran carried out last weekend's attacks on Saudi Arabia.
'In a briefing held [on Wednesday], the Saudi defence ministry spokesman asserted that the attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities, which involved drones and cruise missiles, were "unquestionably sponsored by Iran".
'With tensions in the region likely to escalate because of the continuing stand-off between Iran and the Saudis, it is clear that Israel can ill afford yet more political wrangling over who forms the next government.'
READ MORE: Israel elections are Project Fear, Netanyahu style
The Times
The paper notes that Netanhayu - or 'Bibi' as he is nicknamed in Israel - has recently overtaken founding father David Ben-Gurion to become Israel's longest serving leader.
He has been dubbed the "magician", it says, due to "his ability to conjure up improbable allies".
However the Israeli leader is "increasingly regarded as a relic of a bygone age" who is facing potential charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, eroding much of the popularity and trust he once garnered from voters.
'The danger for Mr Netanhayu is that Likud, though run by loyalists, will nudge him out of power for fear of bleeding voters. To stay in the political game he will have to present himself as an indispensable leader.
'The attack on Saudi oil processing facilities by Iran, or Iran's proxies, has demonstrated that Tehran poses a growing military threat in the region. He has been firm in making this case.
'Even so, Mr Netanyahu has more to offer than nimble diplomacy. Under his watch Israel has grown into a vibrant economy. And he has, by dint of a shared antipathy to Iran, helped to open a new alignment with former arch-rivals in the Gulf states.
'This in turn has encouraged the Trump administration to believe that its Middle East peace plan can only be implemented by Mr Netanyahu.'
The Guardian
The paper emphasises the continuing split among the Israeli electorate between voters backing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and rival Benny Gantz's liberal-centrist Blue and White party.
It notes that there has been "strikingly little change in voting patterns" second time around although "a small portion of the right moved to the secular nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, making him look very much like the kingmaker".
'The grim tactics that have worked so well for Mr Netanyahu before failed to do the trick. Once again he demonised and sought to intimidate Israel's Palestinian citizens, but such efforts appeared to backfire ... But Mr Netanyahu continues to attract substantial support despite a record of dangerous rhetoric and unscrupulous actions which would have ousted any leader with a sense of shame long ago.
'There was no great electoral repudiation of his race-baiting; still less was this campaign a reckoning with his treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, who do not have a vote.'
READ MORE: Iranian weapons used in attack on Saudi oil bases
Washington Post
The US title says a Netanyahu defeat would be good for Israel - and the US
'President Trump might be sorry to see Mr. Netanyahu ousted or constrained. The Israeli leader has been perhaps his most faithful foreign follower, and one who shared his antipathy toward the media and other democratic institutions. But Israel’s relations with the United States might be improved by a new prime minister. Mr. Netanyahu, who increasingly aligned himself with the Republican Party, has done much to polarise Americans’ view of Israel.
'Support for the Jewish state among Democrats has plummeted, according to polls.'
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel