Bloomberg: Iran, the Subject of Open and Secret Relations Between Israel and Saudi Arabia

Bloomberg and Israeli media reported on a meeting between Dori Gold, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and a former Saudi security official, stating that the dangers posed by Iran as a 'common enemy' were discussed during this meeting. According to Bloomberg, The Times of Israel, and the Jerusalem Post, this meeting, which took place on Thursday, June 14, was another round of their meetings in recent months; however, unlike previous meetings that were confidential and held in Asia and Europe, this one was public. Previous meetings between former Israeli and Saudi officials had occurred in India, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Dori Gold and Colonel Anwar Majid Ashqi, a former advisor to Prince Bandar bin Sultan, shook hands in front of cameras and answered several questions from reporters. This meeting took place on the sidelines of a session at the American think tank Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., was also seen at the beginning of this session. Meanwhile, the former Saudi officer told an Israeli website reporter that he was not an official representative of Saudi Arabia at this meeting. The Israeli Prime Minister has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that the common threats posed by Iran's nuclear program and its 'regional ambitions' have brought Arab countries closer to Israeli perspectives. The public meeting between the Israeli Foreign Ministry Director General and the Saudi Colonel occurred a few days after Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, stated that Iranian interventions in the region have increased, and Saudi Arabia can no longer remain silent about this. Until now, while Israel had publicly complained about Iran's nuclear programs and influence in the region, Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries had only expressed their 'concerns' during their meetings with officials in the West. Among the leaked documents from WikiLeaks, it was noted that some Arab officials, including senior Saudi figures, emphasized the need for serious U.S. action against Iran and 'crushing the head of the snake in Tehran' during past meetings with U.S. officials. The Israeli Prime Minister, who openly expresses dissatisfaction with the Obama administration's policies regarding Iran, stated that many Arab countries also share views with Israel. Some observers believe that the formation of an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia in recent months to attack Iranian-backed Houthi positions in Yemen was the most significant indication of Saudi Arabia's distrust of the U.S. Some regional reports claimed that Saudi Arabia had benefited from some assistance from Israel in the attack on Yemen. The 'common threat' posed by Iran's nuclear program and confronting Hezbollah in Lebanon has been two significant common issues between Israel and Saudi Arabia in recent years; however, the internal wars in the Middle East over the past years have significantly altered the region's map, strengthening Israel's common interests with many Arab governments, especially Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel, but since 2002, when the Saudi peace plan was proposed to convince Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories in exchange for a complete peace treaty between Israel and all Arab and Islamic countries, the Arab League has reaffirmed this plan every year. Two weeks ago, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that given the events of the past four years in the region, the Saudi peace plan is no longer relevant, but it still 'contains elements worth considering.' Dori Gold, a right-wing Israeli diplomat who once served as his country's ambassador to the United Nations and is considered a close friend of Netanyahu, only mentioned the 'dangers' of the Iranian regime in his remarks on Thursday at the Council on Foreign Relations. Meanwhile, the Saudi Colonel emphasized the need to change policies towards the regime in Iran during this meeting. He simultaneously mentioned peace with Israel as another goal that should be realized in the region. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two weeks ago, referred to some Arab leaders in the region without naming them as 'foolish.' According to many observers, his reference was more directed towards the leaders of Saudi Arabia.