ByNews Desk- The Cradle
Despite their vast differences, both the Israeli opposition and those in power today support attacking Iran while advancing ties with Israel's Arab neighbors
His words were addressed to incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Lapid claims paved his path toward reaching the milestone of Arab-Israeli normalization.
“We started a dialogue with the Saudis to allow, in its first phase, for Israeli planes to fly over Saudi Arabia and to allow Israeli citizens direct flights to Mecca during pilgrimage,” Lapid said.
“We did more than that. We laid down the foundations for Saudi Arabia to fully join the Abraham Accords,” he added.
He elaborated that Netanyahu possesses all the leverage to achieve this and implied that his (Lapid’s) government is to be credited when Israel “normalizes ties with the Saudis in the near future.”
Despite Lapid’s attempt to harvest the success, Netanyahu has long been vocal about his intentions to extend his hand to Saudi Arabia, as he did to his Gulf neighbors.
In his address to Saudi-affiliated media Al-Arabiya on 15 December, Netanyahu communicated his desire to normalize with the kingdom and find “creative” ways to push negotiations forward.
“I think we can have a new peace initiative that will form a quantum leap in the achievement of the Arab-Israeli resolution. I’m referring to what could be a truly remarkable historic peace with Saudi Arabia,” Netanyahu alleged.
In light of this, the incoming prime minister ensured that his new far-right government will not sabotage ties with the Arab states, especially Riyadh.
A report by Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth claims that once normalization is on the table, the government will consider suspending the annexation of the West Bank.
If Netanyahu is successful, Israel will gain yet another ally in West Asia that would enhance its efforts against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Not only does the kingdom consider Israel a possible ally, but also a country of shared interests and vast cooperation possibilities.
In an interview on 3 March, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) said, “there are many opportunities and interests that Riyadh and Tel Aviv can achieve together.”
He added that Israel is not viewed as an enemy but a “potential ally.”
Both Riyadh and Tel Aviv view Tehran as their main adversary, which has been at the top of their agenda. As a result, Netanyahu has declared Iran’s nuclear status a primary concern for his government.
In his address to the Knesset, the incoming prime minister announced that the first task of his government will be to sabotage any Iranian attempt to build a nuclear bomb.
He added that his government would oppose any western agreement with Tehran for a nuclear deal, before ridiculing the current opposition for their support of such agreements.
Nonetheless, Benny Gantz – outgoing defense minister and a pillar of the current opposition – announced on 28 December that Israel will soon be ready to attack Iran.
“In two or three years, you may be traversing the skies eastward and taking part in an attack on nuclear sites in Iran,” Benny Gantz boasted in front of newly graduated air force cadets.
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