Dennis Ross, a former senior adviser to three American presidents and a partner for decades in Middle East negotiations, in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, calls on the Biden administration to appoint a permanent ambassador to Israel, especially in light of the possibility of a military confrontation with Iran in the near future.
"Tom Nides who is retiring is an excellent ambassador, exactly the person needed to fill such a role. A person who has authority, and who can pick up the phone to the president, the secretary of state, or the national security adviser. I hope his replacement will have a similar authority. Appointing a professional diplomat (as the administration is considering) is not the best option, unless he has the same connection to the top echelons of government. Especially for moments of crisis that may happen in the coming years, you need someone with such abilities. In crisis situations, you want the connections to be the best. During this period, you have to appoint a full-time ambassador," Ross says.
Dennis Ross and Gadi Eisenkot, archive photo, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In the interview, Ross strongly criticized American policy toward Iran, claiming, "It is not afraid of us. We need to change the statements and make it clear to Iran that the nuclear program it has built for 40 years is in danger."
The conversation with Ross was conducted digitally ahead of the 20th Herzliya Conference to be held next week by the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University. Ross, 74, who has dealt extensively with the Middle East peace process, has worked with Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Based on his understanding of the Middle East, he believes that a breakthrough for peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not expected anytime soon.
Biden, Dennis attacks the president's policies, photo: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP
No progress with Saudi Arabia
"Saudi Arabia has changed. If ten years ago you had told me or anyone involved in the Middle East that Saudi Arabia would undergo such a change, we would have signed it. True, they are not a democracy and they will not be, but this is a country whose identity in the past was Wahhabism, which today it is to some extent struggling against. This is a country that grants rights to women, wants to make its economy technology-based and wants to take part in the fight against climate challenges. It means a lot."
Why, then, do you think there will be no breakthrough vis-à-vis Israel?
"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he does not see Israel as an enemy and the process of building relations between the peoples has begun. Israelis are invited to conferences. Israeli companies come to do business. Relationship building becomes normal. This lays the foundation for the connection between the peoples, but it takes time. The king is also demanding things from the United States that are very difficult to pass in Congress, such as advanced weapons, security guarantees and nuclear capabilities. It's not easy to give it to him."
So should America change its attitude toward Saudi Arabia?
"My short answer is yes."
During the Obama administration, you served as the administration's envoy to Iran. Since then, Iran has crossed all red lines, including enriching uranium to 85 percent, spreading terror all over the world, including on American soil, attacking U.S. allies, and most recently aiding Russia in the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, we see no American willingness to confront the threat. Isn't this an American mistake all along?
"Iran is not afraid of us, as it should be. They need to understand that the path they are taking is dangerous, in the way they measure risk, not in the way we think they measure risk. They are halfway to nuclear capability and are in a position to have the option to complete the process. They can get to the point where it will be very difficult to turn them back. Therefore, it is necessary to communicate with them in another way. We need to change the (American) statements. We should say that the diplomatic track is indeed preferable, but add that Iran must understand that if the diplomatic track does not succeed, then a nuclear program that they have invested in for 40 years is in danger. Such a statement will prepare our audience as well."
Bin Salman. Ross believes there will be no breakthrough in relations with Israel, Photo: Reuters
Charging Iran a Price
Ross adds: "We need to shorten our ranges and expedite the supply of KC-146 refueling tankers to Israel, which currently does not have the ability to destroy the nuclear sites by itself. The supply of refueling tankers will send the message that America will not stop Israel. And yes, we [the U.S.] must exact a price from Iran itself, without admitting it and in a way that Iran does not expect. 83 times in recent years, our forces have been hit by Iranian proxies. We responded only three times and only with the sponsorship organizations. We must harm them themselves. This, too, will send a message to the region. The Iranians don't do things that they think might endanger them. We have to convince them that they are wrong in their calculation."
Does President Biden's non-invitation to Netanyahu's White House harm relations between Israel and the United States?
"Nope. The ties between the countries are broad, deep and unprecedented. See the security exercises between the countries. At some point there will be a meeting between them. I saw up close the relationship between the two men and it is positive. I think the president wants to be sure what line Netanyahu is taking, after Smotrich's declarations that there is no Palestinian people and so on. Of all presidents, Biden is the one with the strongest emotional connection to Israel. You saw him get down on your knees at Yad Vashem, and that says it all."
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