SAUDI-IRAN DEAL RAISES ISRAELI WORRIES AND CONCERNS

Thu 30 March 2023:

The agreement to improve relations between Riyadh and Tehran was of equal importance to Israel’s internal affairs and was not just a matter that affected the two nations or that benefited the region. Israeli political, partisan, and media figures were all discussing the effects of such an agreement, which puts an end to Tel Aviv’s attempt to isolate Iran; Netanyahu had previously stated he would work to maintain this isolation once he was back in the position of prime minister.

However, the alliance that Israel and the United States attempted to forge against Tehran is waning as a result of what occurred a few days ago through Chinese mediation.

Tel Aviv and Washington have been working to build a regional structure based on intelligence, security and economic cooperation with Gulf states, which culminated in the normalization agreements. They, however, never reached the ultimate prize: Saudi agreeing to ties with Israel. This culminated in Riyadh’s refusal of entry visas for an Israeli delegation that was invited to a United Nations conference.

Without Beijing being an enemy of Israel, the Saudi-Iran agreement also serves to remind Israel of China’s historical support for the Palestinians.

From the Israeli point of view, this agreement is a Chinese attempt to calm Iranian anger resulting from denouncing its nuclear policy. This means that Beijing is going for balance between the Arabs and Iran. They say that no one can dance at two weddings at the same time, but it seems that the Chinese are able to – and for quite some time – until the music stops at one of them, or both.

The conflict with America, which has escalated into a cold war, is China’s top priority. Israel must be aware that by portraying itself as a nation in crisis, China will be spurred to support its enemies—who are also America’s enemies—more vigorously, and Israel will likely pay a price that exceeds the cost of the Sino-American conflict.

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However, Iran emerged from the shadows when it gave Russia drones to aid in its conflict in Ukraine. This followed the signing of numerous cooperation agreements between China and Iran, some of which have an impact on Israel’s technological security.

The recent agreement to end hostilities with Saudi makes Iran a continental geopolitical player, which reaches outside the borders of the Middle East and allows it to benefit from the technologies that China allegedly promised to provide it, such as access to its large spy satellites. This raises serious questions about Israel’s national security.

Instead of coming up with an appropriate response, Israeli parties are using the Saudi-Iranian deal as a new weapon to be used in exchanging blows between the two rival camps in the Knesset. This brings to mind US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s observation that “Israel has no foreign policy, only domestic politics.” This lack of foreign policy also shows through its failure to formulate a long-term organised policy, and inability to make critical decisions when it comes to serious issues such as the Iranian nuclear program and the future of relations with the Palestinians. In some of these issues, Israel is approaching – or has already reached – the point of no return, which exacerbates its challenges, and may end with the sudden destruction of the state.

As its enemies watch Tel Aviv harming its own interests, which were once its source of strength and protection, Israel is facing economic threats and is aware of how they are feeling. It is already suffering greatly as a result of its internal strife, and things are only predicted to get worse if this division persists.

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Independent Press.