The Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, want to create a political-security bloc against Iran under the auspices of President Trump • Regent Muhammad bin Salman pushes for normalization with Israel, but his father King Salman still disapproves • Sources in Jerusalem and Washington hint: Saudis close to decision
After Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, Israel is now expecting the biggest prize: an agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Both Jerusalem and Washington are scattering thick hints that the Saudis are close to deciding to recognize Israel.
However, even at this stage there is still no certainty that Riyadh will join Sudan - the fifth Arab state to announce over the weekend that it will make peace with Israel.
PM Netanyahu: "They said we were on the way to a political tsunami - and the complete opposite happened" // Photo: GPO
According to estimates in Jerusalem and Washington, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is interested in normalization with Israel, but his father, King Salman, is currently blocking the move.
Despite this, all indications are that the agreements with the UAE and Bahrain have been given the green light in Riyadh.
Apparently, this is because of the Gulf states' main interest in producing a political-security bloc against Iran under the auspices of President Trump.
The goal is also to help Trump be re-elected, and to establish facts in case Biden wins the U.S. election.
Sudan, a former pro-Iranian state, has announced that it will open talks with Israel to reach a peace agreement with it.
This is the third Arab state to join the framework of the Abrahamic agreements initiated by the Trump administration.
The final agreement between the countries on the establishment of the agreement between them was first published on the "Israel Today" website.
In the coming days, delegations from the two countries are expected to meet in public to make practical progress in settling ties.
"We are changing the map of the Middle East," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday. "Flying east over Saudi Arabia to Bahrain and India will save many hours and money.
Israel was isolated: we were told we were going to a political tsunami, and the complete opposite happened.
I say right now - there will be more countries that will sign agreements with Israel. "
President Trump said on Friday that "there are at least five other countries that want to join the deal," during a conversation with Netanyahu and Sudanese Sovereignty Council President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
During a press conference at the White House, the president thanked the leaders of the countries: "The peace agreement is a tremendous achievement of courage and leadership. You were at war with Sudan and now not only has the deal been signed, there is peace as well."
The American president tried to take advantage of the stage for his political needs and asked Netanyahu "Do you think the sleepy Joe (Biden) could have done such a thing? Sign such a deal?".
The prime minister did not lag behind Trump and responded diplomatically: "We are happy to receive help from any president."
Netanyahu mentioned that "in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, the three laws of the Arab League were adopted in 1967: 'No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations with Israel.' "For normalization with Israel." This is a new era. An era of true peace. "
Netanyahu thanked al-Burhan and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamduk and said, "We are expanding the circle of peace."
Sudan is a poor country with limited resources and capabilities, but strengthening ties with it will allow Israel to strengthen its surveillance of hostile elements operating in the Red Sea region.
According to foreign publications, Israel is using several African countries to operate warning stations along the shores of the Red Sea.
Reactions in Arab countries were in line with emerging regional interests, and moderate Sunni Arab states were the first to welcome them.
The Arab and Islamic countries, which oppose the normalization agreements, were quick to issue condemnation messages calling on opponents of the agreement in Sudan to take to the streets and protest against it.
The United Arab Emirates, which was the first to establish relations under the Abrahamic Accords, welcomed the agreement.
The statement from the Emirati Foreign Ministry in Abu Dhabi said: "This is an important step in increasing security and prosperity in the region. The agreement between Israel and Sudan will expand the scope of economic, commercial, scientific and diplomatic cooperation for the benefit of the entire region."
Bahrain said it "welcomes further agreement that will contribute to the security and stability of the region, to political cooperation and to economic prosperity for the benefit of the peoples".
Cairo has also expressed satisfaction with the recent moves.
A statement from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's office said, "The president and the entire Egyptian people appreciate the sincere and relentless efforts to bring stability and peace to the region."