Israel and Saudi Arabia Relations
Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have official diplomatic relations. It means there are no political representatives in their capitals. On the other hand those two states cooperate with the United States. Their common target is the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the British Sunday Times Saudi Arabia offered its support to Israel in preparation to attack Iran. It has been said that Saudi Arabia offered its drones, helicopters, planes to launch the anti-Iranian operation[1].
Moreover Teheran considers Saudi Arabia as its primary enemy, who can attack their territory. In fact neither Israel nor the US intervened in Iran in spite of their nuclear programme threatening the peace in the region. Iranian official believe that Israel is afraid of the possible Iranian rackets strike on Israeli cities[2]. So the question is why two countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have hostile relations, which cohere certain policies of Tel Aviv and Riyadh.
Iran is governed by the Shiites who dominate the country, whereas Saudi Arabia is governed by the Sunni Monarchy who do not tolerate Shiites. Those two countries have totally different approach to understanding Islam and compete in having the leadership not only in the Islamic world but also in oil exports and relations with the Western world[3].
It might seem that Saudi Arabia makes endeavours to develop its relations with Israel because they announced to stop ban on Israeli goods and services in 2005. However they applied to join the World Trade Organization and that obliged them to such step. Apparently Saudi Arabia had to acknowledge that decision but it did not happen immediately.
Saudi Arabia recognizes strong tights between the US and Israel. They seem to accept the supportive role of the US in protecting its ally in the Middle East. That means also that Washington plays a role of intermediary between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. Moreover Saudi Arabia purchased 72 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft in 2005. That and other efforts of Saudi Arabia to strengthen their military power using equipment bought in the US enhances their role in the region against the Iran and such situation is also convenient for the Israeli security[4].
[1] Israel, Saudi Arabia cooperating to plan possible Iran attack, Sunday Times, UK, 17.11.2013
[2] Saudi Arabia bigger threat to Iran than Israel, The Times of Israel, Israel, 01.02.2014
[3] D. Murray, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East`s 30 year war, The Spectator, USA, 25.01.2014
[4] Saudi Arabia`s US ties, Forbes, USA, 09.02.2010
Moreover Teheran considers Saudi Arabia as its primary enemy, who can attack their territory. In fact neither Israel nor the US intervened in Iran in spite of their nuclear programme threatening the peace in the region. Iranian official believe that Israel is afraid of the possible Iranian rackets strike on Israeli cities[2]. So the question is why two countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have hostile relations, which cohere certain policies of Tel Aviv and Riyadh.
Iran is governed by the Shiites who dominate the country, whereas Saudi Arabia is governed by the Sunni Monarchy who do not tolerate Shiites. Those two countries have totally different approach to understanding Islam and compete in having the leadership not only in the Islamic world but also in oil exports and relations with the Western world[3].
It might seem that Saudi Arabia makes endeavours to develop its relations with Israel because they announced to stop ban on Israeli goods and services in 2005. However they applied to join the World Trade Organization and that obliged them to such step. Apparently Saudi Arabia had to acknowledge that decision but it did not happen immediately.
Saudi Arabia recognizes strong tights between the US and Israel. They seem to accept the supportive role of the US in protecting its ally in the Middle East. That means also that Washington plays a role of intermediary between Tel Aviv and Riyadh. Moreover Saudi Arabia purchased 72 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft in 2005. That and other efforts of Saudi Arabia to strengthen their military power using equipment bought in the US enhances their role in the region against the Iran and such situation is also convenient for the Israeli security[4].
[1] Israel, Saudi Arabia cooperating to plan possible Iran attack, Sunday Times, UK, 17.11.2013
[2] Saudi Arabia bigger threat to Iran than Israel, The Times of Israel, Israel, 01.02.2014
[3] D. Murray, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East`s 30 year war, The Spectator, USA, 25.01.2014
[4] Saudi Arabia`s US ties, Forbes, USA, 09.02.2010
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