Confronting Iran, Israel Moves Closer to the Gulf

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat on October 25. Photo: AP

Netanyahu held surprise talks with Sultan Qaboos of Oman in Muscat on October 25, along with the head of the Mossad intelligence agency, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office. The move has raised concerns among Palestinians about the possibility of Oman and Israel moving toward normalization of relations.

Days later, controversial Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev visited the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,

Israel's communications minister spoke in Dubai and the Israeli national anthem was sung at a judo competition in Abu Dhabi. Israel's transport minister is expected to push ahead with a rail link between the Israeli city of Haifa and the Gulf next week in Oman.

This apparent strengthening of ties by Israel comes as the US has stepped up its sanctions against Iran and, like Israel, has maintained its demand that Tehran have no say in Syria's reconstruction.

"Policy alignment is bringing them (Israel and the Gulf Arab countries) closer together, if not together," said Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG).

“Pressuring Iran and its regional activities is a top priority in Israel and a top priority in several Gulf capitals,” Dickinson said. “Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv in particular all feel that it is important to seize the moment – ​​when the US administration is also prioritizing Iran.”

The Gulf initiatives also come ahead of Israeli elections likely to take place in early 2019, and improved relations with Arab states could boost Netanyahu's domestic standing.