Israel is quietly working to improve ties with Gulf monarchies after recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran in hopes of halting Iran's influence in the region.
Benjamin Netanyahu's government has anointed Dore Gold, the director-general of the foreign ministry to lead outreach, to take advantage of the Gulf's disdain towards Tehran, just weeks after the
Saudi Arabian Embassy in Iran was attacked by extremists.
"Clearly there's been a convergence of interests between Israel and many Sunni Arab states given the fact that they both face identical challenges in the region,"Gold told
The Wall Street Journal.
Quoting unnamed sources, the Journal reported that Israel is also motivated by the July nuclear deal carved out between Iran and the U.S and its allies. Netanyahu had openly fought the deal and criticized President Barack Obama for negotiating with nuclear Iran.
"What we have seen in the past six months is an intensification of the relationship [with Sunni Arab states]," a senior Israeli official told the Journal. "Israel is on the same side."
But Israel is walking a tight rope negotiating with a region that has openly called for recognition of a Palestinian state and doesn't publicly recognize Israel's right to exist.
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