Increase in Diplomatic Interaction between Israel, Oman, and Bahrain

Ten days after the Israeli Prime Minister's visit to Oman, a senior Israeli minister has also traveled officially to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Israeli media reported an increased likelihood of the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Bahrain. According to Wynet, Yisrael Katz, Israel's Minister of Transportation, who also holds the position of Minister of Intelligence, went to Oman on the evening of Sunday, November 4, to participate in an international conference in Muscat and simultaneously meet with senior Omani officials. This is the first time Oman has officially invited an Israeli minister to participate in global meetings held in this country on the shores of the Sea of Oman. Katz stated last week that he would present a project to create a railway route between Israel and Arab countries, titled 'Rail of Peace,' to his Omani hosts and counterparts from other emirates. Oman and Israel previously confirmed that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, was a guest of Sultan Qaboos of Oman on November 4 and 5. Netanyahu's visit was the first by an Israeli leader to Oman in 22 years, although the two countries have never had official political relations. Yusuf bin Alawi Abdullah, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stated on November 6 at a security meeting in Bahrain that it is time to recognize Israel as a country in the region, remarks that were welcomed by Israel. Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on November 14 that Netanyahu's next trip to a Gulf emirate is likely to be to Bahrain. According to Haaretz, many contacts are underway to prepare for Netanyahu's visit to Bahrain. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa also mentioned on November 5 at a security meeting in Manama regarding Netanyahu's trip to Oman that his country has 'always trusted the wisdom and intelligence of Sultan Qaboos and his ability to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict' and 'wishes for the success of Sultan Qaboos's efforts.' Haaretz reported that Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, has recently stated several times that he opposes the boycott of Israel and has allowed Bahraini ministers and officials at all levels to meet with their Israeli counterparts. Bahrain's Foreign Minister also tweeted on November 11 that 'Mr. Netanyahu's' stance on the importance of maintaining Saudi stability in the region is clear and appropriate. Sheikh Khalid's reference was to Netanyahu's remarks a few days earlier at a European meeting in Varna, Bulgaria, where he stated that the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was 'horrific,' but maintaining Saudi stability, due to Saudi Arabia's role in confronting Iran, is more important. Haaretz reported on November 14, citing information from members of a pro-Israel evangelical Christian delegation during their recent visit to Riyadh and a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince, that these meetings are no longer surprising and that their occurrence under current conditions in the Saudi capital is 'not coincidental.' Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, met on November 12 with an American evangelical delegation for a two-hour meeting. The Saudi Foreign Ministry published images and an official report of this meeting. Members of this delegation traveled from Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel afterward. Previous meetings of Mohammed bin Salman with other American pro-Israel groups, such as the 'Anti-Defamation League' and AIPAC in Washington, occurred, but he did not meet with the leftist American Jewish group critical of Israel called 'J Street' during his spring visit to the U.S. Ayoub Qara, Israel's Minister of Communications, and Miri Regev, Israel's Minister of Sports, also held separate meetings in Abu Dhabi, the political center of the UAE, last week. Alongside the apparent developments in relations between Israel and Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, Haaretz noted that increased cooperation between Israel and the emirate of Qatar regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip is also significant. According to this report, Israel, which considered Qatar a 'supporter of terrorism' due to its relations with Hamas and Iran, has become, in the past year, a kind of 'executive arm of Israeli policy in Gaza,' allowing Qatar to provide fuel needed for Gaza and salaries for government employees affiliated with Hamas in Gaza—two issues that Palestinians have protested against in recent months at the Gaza-Israel border. Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that 'shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program and regional activities' have brought Arab countries in the region 'incredibly' closer to Israel. Israel considers building alliances with Arab and Islamic countries essential to confront Iran, its staunch enemy for the past 40 years, and has recently achieved unprecedented successes in this area. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman praised the new round of stringent unilateral American sanctions against Iran, stating on Twitter that 'President Trump's brave decision is changing the realities the region has been waiting for.' Lieberman wrote: 'The President's brave decision is a fundamental decision that the Middle East has been waiting for. The United States, with one move, is delivering a significant blow to Iran's influence in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, and Yemen; President Trump, you have done it again; thank you.' Benjamin Netanyahu also thanked Donald Trump on Saturday night for reinstating strict sanctions against Iran. The imposition of 'crippling' sanctions against Iran, especially the 'cutting of Iranian oil exports,' has long been a demand of the Israeli government. Iran, for its part, has emphasized that it will thwart these sanctions and will effectively counter Israel's influence in the region.