Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government will likely make a return to power this month or next — and, in doing so, will test the Gulf Arab states that until now have been pivoting toward closer relations with Israel . As this new nationalist government pursues policies that challenge traditional Gulf interests, those relations will be questioned. Despite Israel's increasingly right-leaning actions and rhetoric, almost every Gulf state has enough economic, security or diplomatic reasons to continue prioritizing efforts to grow positive relations with Israel rather than cutting off communication. Gulf Arab neighbors will continue making progress toward normalized relations with Israel, but that progress will be slowed because they are obligated to object to certain policies, such as the potential annexation of parts of the West Bank or another major military operation against Hamas in Gaza.