Benyamin Netanyahu hopes for a diplomatic domino effect. Countries that were reluctant to break a taboo by establishing diplomatic relations with Israel should follow the example of the United Arab Emirates. These states include Bahrain, in the Gulf, and Sudan, in Africa, a predominantly Muslim state. For now, however, Saudi Arabia, the most important target in the Israeli prime minister's charm offensive, is still resisting. But an encouraging sign, Riyadh has refrained from denouncing the agreement between the Emirates and the Hebrew state.
Read also: Agreement in the Middle East: the Emirati Foreign Minister tells the negotiations in Figaro
In the realization of this puzzle, Yossi Cohen, the boss of Mossad, plays the role of gray eminence and superdiplomat. He regularly makes discreet trips to the Gulf. At each meeting, he proposes to forge alliances, to develop military and intelligence cooperation against Iran, the common enemy.
The Covid-19 epidemic has also played a driving role in the rapprochement between Israel and the Emirates,
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