BICOM

Dore Gold, Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry has emphasised that Israel and many Sunni Arab states have common interests, especially over regional challenges being faced.

Speaking to the Wall St Journal, Gold who is described as a “long-standing ally” of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is quoted saying, “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.”

Since Gold took office earlier this year, the article says that, “Israel has stepped up efforts to mend and improve ties in the region.” Gold has prioritised growing relations with Arab countries and has overseen the re-opening of Israel’s Embassy in Egypt. In addition, for the first time Israel plans to open a diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the auspices of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which is based in the city.

The Wall St Journal article outlines shared Israeli and Sunni Arab concerns over Iran’s growing influence in the region, with Tehran backing military proxies in Syria and Yemen. The recent diplomatic crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia has underscored the tensions. The article quotes an unnamed senior Israeli official, saying, “What we have seen in the past six months is an intensification of the relationship [with Sunni Arab states]… Israel is on the same side.” Meanwhile, senior leader in the Zionist Union opposition party and former-Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is candidly quoted saying, “We have the same understanding of the region” and that, “This is the basis for an alliance” between Israel and Sunni Arab states.

Meanwhile, in a separate diplomatic development yesterday, Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon met the US Deputy Secretary of Defence Rob Work in Tel Aviv. Work said that the United States always stands with Israel and that bilateral relations are a “cornerstone” of US policy.