Iran war pulling some Gulf states toward Israel, while pushing others away
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed a secret visit to the UAE and a meeting with its leader, but the UAE foreign ministry denied the visit, calling the claim "entirely unfounded" and emphasizing transparent relations.
- The UAE's rejection of Netanyahu's statement was partly due to frustration at being used in Israeli domestic politics, as Netanyahu reportedly announced the visit to outshine former PM Naftali Bennett’s planned trip.
- Despite the diplomatic hiccup, Israel-UAE relations are deepening significantly, driven by shared security concerns amid tensions with Iran, including intelligence sharing, air defense cooperation, and joint defense projects.
- The UAE is increasingly acting independently from traditional Arab consensus, as shown by its recent OPEC exit and closer ties with Israel, seeking autonomy and practical benefits rather than symbolic normalization.
- In contrast, Saudi Arabia remains cautious about closer ties with Israel, preferring to strengthen defense partnerships with Pakistan and Turkey to maintain regional balance and prevent Israel from becoming a dominant power.