Reactions, Reports, and Analyses Following Netanyahu's Visit to Oman

Benjamin Netanyahu's unexpected trip to Muscat and his meeting with Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman has sparked significant reactions in the region and around the world. While Israeli officials have deemed the Prime Minister's first visit to this Gulf state a diplomatic success in revealing relations with Arab governments, Oman defended the trip, and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia wished Oman success. However, Iran and Tehran's allies reacted negatively to this development, expressing surprise at Oman's 'change of course.' Netanyahu met with the Sultan in a secret visit to Muscat on Friday, November 4, and wrote on his social media that he discussed peace and presented 'Israel's skills in security, technology, and commerce' with Sultan Qaboos. Israel and Oman apparently have no formal relations, and this was Netanyahu's first trip to Oman; previously, two Israeli Prime Ministers, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, visited Oman in 1994 and 1996 when there was hope for real peace between Israel and the Palestinians following the Oslo peace agreement. However, Israeli media reported that Yossi Cohen, the head of the Mossad, had 'repeatedly' visited Oman recently and was instrumental in securing Sultan Qaboos's agreement to meet with Netanyahu; the Mossad chief accompanied Netanyahu on his trip to Muscat. According to these reports, the United States, on the brink of its peace plan for the Palestinians and Israelis, known as the 'Deal of the Century,' encouraged Oman to improve relations with Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, had met with Sultan Qaboos a few days before Netanyahu's visit. Yusuf bin Alawi, the Omani Foreign Minister, stated on Saturday, November 5, regarding Netanyahu's visit that his country does not mediate between Israel and the Palestinians but offers its assistance and plans to help the parties reach an understanding. At the annual Manama conference in Bahrain, Yusuf bin Alawi added that 'we know that the path (of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians) is not without thorns, but our top priority is to end the conflict and create a new world.' According to the Omani Foreign Minister, his country trusts the peace plan that Donald Trump will present in the future and the efforts of the United States. Yusuf bin Alawi added, 'Peace will be equally positive for both sides,' and 'everyone must understand that Israel is a country in the region, just as the reality of Israel has been understood in other parts of the world.' Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, also stated on Saturday that the Manama government 'has always trusted the wisdom and insight of Sultan Qaboos and his ability to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.' The Bahraini Foreign Minister, whose country is hosting a three-day 'Manama Dialogue' conference with the participation of foreign and defense ministers from several countries, including the United States, added that Bahrain 'wishes for the success of Sultan Qaboos's efforts.' Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, also said at the Manama meeting that 'the peace process for normalizing relations (between Saudi Arabia and Israel) is essential,' adding that the Saudi government has supported the 'Arab Peace Initiative' since 2002. On the other hand, Iran and its regional allies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Ansar Allah in Yemen, criticized Oman's change of course in statements. According to ISNA, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said on Friday night that from Iran's perspective, 'Islamic countries in the region should not give Israel the space to create new crises and problems under the pressure of the White House.' He added, 'Undoubtedly, this regime seeks to create divisions among Muslim countries and cover up 70 years of occupation, aggression, and the massacre of the oppressed Palestinian people.' Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the special assistant to the Iranian Parliament Speaker, also described this meeting as 'far from the wisdom known in Sultan Qaboos.' Oman has long hosted secret negotiations between Iran and the United States and played a significant role in achieving the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. Unlike Saudi Arabia and other emirates, Oman has maintained the closest relations with Iran over the past 40 years while also preserving its good relations with the West, the international community, and its other neighbors. The New York Times, considering Oman's mediating role in issues related to Iran, suggested in an article on Saturday that Netanyahu's meeting might have been aimed at establishing a new channel for Israel's communication with Iran. The Associated Press also reported on Friday night that Netanyahu's meeting seemed more related to conveying Israel's message through Oman to Iran than to any potential mediation by Oman between Israel and the Palestinians. Ehud Yaari, a seasoned Arab affairs reporter on Israel's Channel 2, stated, 'When leaders want to send a message to Iran, they go to Oman.'