Netanyahu Presses to Build Relations in Gulf States Israeli prime minister’s trip to Oman reflects effort to shift Mideast narrative toward security against regional threats like Iran and away from Palestinians By Felicia Schwartz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/netanyahu-presses-to-build-relations-in-gulf-states-1540753549
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Oman marked a new chapter in his effort to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab nations and shift the conversation from Palestinian issues toward regional threats like Iran.
Mr. Netanyahu sees countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman as crucial potential allies in a Middle East that is realigned around opposition to Iran and is less concerned about Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land without a signed peace deal. U.S. officials hope Saudi Arabia and other states can pressure Palestinians to come to the table and accept the Trump administration’s terms.
Mr. Netanyahu on Sunday promised additional public meetings with Oman to follow up on his heavily publicized trip last week. Other Israeli officials also visited Gulf nations recently or are due to see them in the coming days in rare open settings, potentially building on the quiet ties between Gulf and Israeli intelligence agencies.
Israel lacks diplomatic relations with most of its Arab neighbors, save for Egypt and Jordan. Israel tacitly shares some intelligence information with neighbors including Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.
In building relations with Oman, Mr. Netanyahu opens a potential back channel to Tehran as Israel is trying to push Iran out of Syria with the war there drawing to a close. Oman has served as a go-between for warring players in the region, including for the U.S. and Iran in 2013.
“In our long meeting we discussed in detail the challenges facing the Middle East. These were important talks—both for the state of Israel and very important talks for Israel’s security. There will be more,” Mr. Netanyahu said on Sunday ahead of a meeting of his cabinet.
Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Bin Said also can connect Mr. Netanyahu to other regional leaders who may not yet be ready to openly meet the Israeli leader. Omani Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi said his country could facilitate discussions and offer fresh ideas for the Palestinian peace process, though the country played only a limited role in the past, current and former officials involved in peace discussions said.
“Israel is a state that is present in this region and we all understand this,” Mr. Alawi said on Saturday at a conference in Bahrain after the meeting. “Perhaps the time has come for Israel to be treated in the same way as other countries.”CONTINUE AT SITE
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