Author: Assistant Lecturer. Saad Mohammad
Researcher at the Crisis management Department
Translated by: Lecturer. Hussain B Abdulameer
November / 2018
Despite the lack of progress on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has negatively impacted relations between Israel and the Gulf states, there has been much talk about the possibilities of cooperation and the strengthening of relations between them in the face of a common danger, namely, Iran. It can be argued that despite the differing of the Gulf approaches in their view of Iran, they all adopted a firm stance on the regional policy of Iran and the Iranian nuclear issue. This has allowed for some circles close to Israeli decision-making to say that after years of unrest in the Middle East, it can be said that the Gulf states appear to be the most united and closer to the Israeli position to counter Iranian interests.
Iran’s nuclear issue:
The signing of the nuclear agreement between the P5 + 1 group and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program, a turning point towards the rapprochement between the Gulf States and Israel, a turning point towards the rapprochement between the Gulf States and Israel, which is prompting some senior Israeli officials to publicly hint at the possibility of such Israeli-Gulf cooperation because of the convergence of interests between the two sides. In a speech focused on the issue of the Iranian nuclear file, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “For the first time since the establishment of the State of Israel, there is a growing understanding rooted in the Arab world, is not always smooth.” This understanding, that Israel is not an enemy of the Arabs and that we stand on a united front on many issues, perhaps pushing for new possibilities in the region, of course, no Gulf official has expressed such an orientation, neither the Gulf states nor Israel stand on one side, however, a range of statements and moves, it seemed Interesting for Israel.
Anti-Iran agents:
The Gulf countries welcomed the air strike on a Hezbollah forces on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, The Israeli strike has killed a number of senior leaders of the Lebanese “Hezbollah”. In addition to a general from the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Several sources have indicated that if the confrontation took place again between Israel and «Hezbollah», or with Iran, then, many Arabs will stand with the Israeli side and point out that many Arabs supported the strike, Also, Iran’s interventions in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain have pushed the Gulf countries toward Israel to confront this challenge, as well as with Israel, trying to get closer to the Gulf because of Iranian threats.
Saudi moves against Iran:
Israel seems fully prepared to reach an understanding with Saudi Arabia on the background of common issues and threats. And even at the level of other files, as opposed to points of convergence which is known as the Iranian file, the Syrian file, the position of the Lebanese Hezbollah. In an assessment presented to Israeli security and intelligence agencies early this year, said that the confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia highlights the convergence of interests between Tel Aviv and Riyadh, especially in view of Iran as the greatest enemy of their interests. In this context, Israel can help Saudi Arabia in its battle against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Iran’s desire to dominate the Middle East. Saudi Arabia’s international moves, including energy policy in oil prices, the war in Yemen, the announcement of the establishment of an Islamist alliance to fight “da’ash” and the hint of nuclear action, point to a decisive Saudi policy at all levels against those whom Saudi Arabia sees as a threat to interests And Saudi national security.
The Gulf-Israeli rapprochement seems closer than ever, as a result of the parties’ feeling that the Arab-Israeli conflict must be stopped or put to an end, especially after the growing role of Iran in the Middle East, which has become a threat to their interests and according to sources, Israel succeeded in accepting the Arabs as a result of political changes in the Middle East since the fall of the regime in Iran led by the Shah, who was considered an ally of Israel in the region and replaced by the regime contrary to the views and interests of both sides, and the recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Oman and the participation of the Israeli Minister of Culture at the Abu Dhabi Festival. In addition, the creation of an environment conducive to the establishment of cooperative relations between Israel and the Gulf countries has become an acceptable to the level of public opinion in the Gulf.
