According to a British Sunday Times report, Israel is working with Saudi Arabia on a contingency plan that involved cooperation to attack the common enemy, Iran’s nuclear program. Amid ongoing US efforts to reach an agreement to reduce sanctions against Iran, an agreement that is being shunned by Israel, the two countries appear to be cooperating for the common good.
Both Jerusalem and Riyadh are very concerned regarding Iran’s ongoing efforts to achieve nuclear independence and they are reportedly working together on the contingency plan as the Geneva effort continues. Reports in Israel signal a deal is likely sometime this week.
The report cites the Mossad is maintaining contact with Saudi Arabia, with the latter willing to provide support which includes permitting Israel to enter its airspace as well as supplying rescue helicopters, tanker planes and drones.
“Once the Geneva agreement is signed, the military option will be back on the table. The Saudis are furious and are willing to give Israel all the help it needs,” an unnamed diplomatic source told the paper.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu continues to express his disapproval of the plan based on the information received in Yerushalayim and the prime minister is not showing any signs of comfort following repeated attempts to reassure Israel by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Netanyahu has referred to the plan as “bad” and warns it will lead to war.
Kerry is trying to maintain his diplomatic composure amid repeated statements of disapproval from Mr. Netanyahu. Some American officials are furious at Economic Minister Naftali Bennett, who during a visit to the United States met with lawmakers to persuade them against the P5 +1 summit.
One minister supporting Mr. Netanyahu is Minister of Homefront Defense Gideon Erdan, who released a statement warning against the Geneva effort, which Israel feels will undo the accomplishments of stern economic sanctions against Tehran.
Mr. Netanyahu on Shabbos spoke to the French daily Le Figaro about the Iranian situation and stated that Israel is working with leading states in the Arab world because when it comes to Iran, there is cooperation.
“We all think that Iran should not be allowed to have the capacities to make nuclear weapons,” he said. “We all think that a tougher stance should be taken by the international community. We all believe that if Iran were to have nuclear weapons, this could lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, making the Middle East a nuclear tinderbox.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
One Response
So the truth is finally comming out.
Israel having nukes was never the threat, the anti-semites always said it was.
This cooperation could be good, as long as the Israeli negotiators count their fingers, after shaking hands on the treaty.