The Israeli rapprochement with Saudi Arabia: "The beginning of the opening of the door" Israel today

"The expectation of a breakthrough in relations with Saudi Arabia is understandable, but unrealistic": this is what senior officials in Israel say on the eve of US President Joe Biden's visit to the region.

The US administration has tried to advance a range of issues and ideas ahead of President Biden's visit to Israel next Tuesday and then a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

Baghdad will meet with the leaders of the Gulf states and several other Arab leaders, with one of the issues to be raised being the promotion of the idea of ​​a regional missile and rocket defense alliance with the participation of Israel.

Riyadh Market, Photo: Yoav Limor

One issue that has already been agreed, and will probably be officially declared during the visit, is the transfer of ownership of the islands of Tiran and San from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.

In return, Saudi Arabia is expected to allow Israeli planes to pass through its territory.

Since the pair of islands are an integral part of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt and have an international supervisory force, Israeli consent was required for their transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Israel made this conditional on receiving an official Saudi guarantee that military and civilian freedom of navigation would be preserved in Tiran Egypt.

The Saudis refused to grant Israel such an open letter of commitment - which meant the first direct agreement between the two countries - and it was agreed that they would pledge to the United States, which would pledge to Israel.

As part of this, UN inspectors are expected to leave the islands and relocate to Sharm el-Sheikh.

As far as is known, Israel also demanded the installation of technological and electronic means in the southern Gulf of Eilat, but apparently withdrew from this and contented itself with the American guarantees it received.

As stated, Saudi Arabia is expected to authorize Israeli planes to pass through its territory on their flight east.

So far, Saudi Arabia has allowed transit in its skies only for Israeli flights whose destination is the Emirates or Bahrain, as an indirect contribution to the "Abrahamic Agreements."

The new permit will significantly shorten flights from Israel to destinations such as Thailand and Hong Kong, and will allow Israeli companies to fly directly to Japan and Australia. In the talks, Israel tried to persuade Saudi Arabia to allow direct flights for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

The issue has not yet been agreed, but as far as is known the Saudis have not completely ruled out the matter.

Secret relationship

Another idea that came up - and has not yet been decided - is to attach a senior Israeli figure to President Biden's plane, on his flight next week from Israel to Saudi Arabia, and to some of the talks that will take place in the kingdom.

If that happens (and the chances of that happening are unclear), it will be the first time an Israeli official has visited Saudi Arabia openly.

In the past decade, many Israeli security officials have visited the kingdom.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the only Israeli leader to visit the kingdom, but all recent heads of the Mossad (and other senior members of the organization), heads of the National Security Council, chiefs of staff and IDF generals came to working meetings in Riyadh. Various business entities - security and other - with the approval of the authorities in the two countries.

Yoav Limor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Photo: Yoav Limor

The Saudis are interested in Israeli capabilities, especially in the fields of security, technology and agriculture, and several agreements have already been signed between Israeli and Saudi companies.

Buds of change

"Saudi Arabia is not yet ready to make the leap made by the Emirates and Bahrain," senior officials say.

"It will take time for her. She is slower, more conservative, and it is doubtful that we will see a full relationship before the rule passes from King Salman to his son, Muhammad bin Salman."

Despite this, sources say that what is happening now is "no less than historic. It may seem like a small step, but it is the beginning of the opening of the door. Slowly there will be more steps, until the whole process matures. The Saudis have patience, and we need patience - But in the end it will come. "

For the ordinary citizen of Riyadh, relations with Israel at the moment seem like a distant dream.

Those we spoke to on the street were mostly shocked that Israelis were visiting the kingdom.

When we were invited to visit Jerusalem, the regular response was: "Inshallah, one day it will be possible."

At the moment it seems that no one wants to say more than that.

In a conservative and closed country like Saudi Arabia - which is entrusted with the sanctuaries of Islam - its citizens are waiting to receive the signal from the authorities.

And yet, it is hard not to feel the buds of change: quite a few of the young people showed interest in guests from Israel and were not afraid to speak.

They are well versed in current affairs, opinionated and very curious.

In a country where more than half of the population is under the age of 25, the future requires Saudi Arabia to change and open up.

Muhammad bin Salman does just that, but at his own pace.

If Israel does not hurry, and adjust itself, these relations have a very promising future.

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