The Israel-Saudi Arabia deal is not just about peace; it's about building a fortress of economic, political, and military power that Iran simply cannot penetrate. In a world of uncertainty, the Israel-Saudi Arabia deal promises stability and prosperity, elevating both nations to superpower status in the region while isolating Iran's disruptive influence.
It’s
time to “tie the knot” in the Middle East. The prospect of Israel and Saudi
Arabia normalizing relations would not only reshape the geopolitical landscape
of the region, but it would also signify a colossal leap in economic,
political, and defense cooperation. Despite Iran’s attempts to destabilize the
Middle East with its mischief and divisive tactics, Israel and Saudi Arabia
should not let this opportunity slip through their fingers. Both nations have
far too much to gain, and their alliance would provide significant strategic
benefits to counter the persistent threat from Iran.
The
normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which has been on the table
for some time, could potentially mirror the transformative effects of the
Abraham Accords signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain in
2020. These accords led to a boom in trade, investment, and cooperation in
areas ranging from food security to regional air defense systems. In a region
where mistrust and conflict have often defined relationships, the possibility
of Israel and Saudi Arabia joining forces would not just be another peace
agreement; it would be a geopolitical game-changer. The relationship is
expected to bring economic and security stability across the Middle East and
beyond.
Economically,
both countries stand to benefit from unprecedented levels of cooperation.
Israel’s booming technology sector and its defense industry, paired with Saudi
Arabia’s wealth and ambitious Vision 2030 development plan, make the two
nations perfect partners for mutual growth. In recent years, trade between
Israel and Gulf countries, including the UAE, has skyrocketed, setting the
stage for Israel to further integrate with the region. Adding Saudi Arabia to
this equation would boost investments in technology, infrastructure, and green
energy, while also creating new markets for both countries to explore. Saudi
Arabia’s drive to diversify its economy away from oil would find a welcome
partner in Israel’s innovative tech ecosystem.
Politically,
the stakes are even higher. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) has
stated that "every day we get closer" to normalization with Israel,
despite the ongoing war in Gaza. This signals that Saudi Arabia, while
maintaining its commitment to Palestinian rights, sees the long-term strategic
value of engaging with Israel. Saudi Arabia has long been seen as the leader of
the Arab world, and if the kingdom takes this monumental step, it could lead
other hesitant nations in the region to follow suit. On a broader scale, this
alliance would solidify both countries’ positions as key U.S. allies in the
Middle East, ensuring their influence on American policy decisions and
enhancing their leverage in regional negotiations.
Defense
collaboration between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be another significant
outcome of normalization. Iran’s persistent malign activities across the
region—whether through its support for Hezbollah, its involvement in Yemen, or
its nuclear ambitions—pose a shared threat to both nations. A formal
Israel-Saudi defense partnership could dramatically shift the balance of power
in the region. Israel, with its advanced military technology and missile
defense systems, would make a formidable ally for Saudi Arabia, which has been
investing heavily in upgrading its own defense capabilities. This would provide
a united front to counter Iran’s influence and reduce the effectiveness of
Tehran’s attempts to stir up trouble.
Iran,
of course, is not blind to the potential ramifications of this deal. The regime
in Tehran has been actively trying to disrupt the normalization process, as it
did when Hamas launched attacks on Israel in October 2023. The goal was clear:
to derail any chance of peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel by dragging the
region back into conflict. Yet, even amid the violence, Saudi officials have
indicated that normalization talks are not entirely off the table. Despite
public statements emphasizing Palestinian rights, behind the scenes, the
discussions continue, with both Israel and Saudi Arabia recognizing the
long-term value of an alliance that could bring stability to the entire region.
The
United States has also been instrumental in facilitating the potential deal.
The Biden administration has been pushing for an agreement, seeing it as a way
to not only bolster U.S. influence in the region but also create a united front
against Iran. Washington has already provided significant incentives to both
sides, including military guarantees to Saudi Arabia and granting Israel entry
into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. With U.S. support, the normalization deal
could become a reality sooner rather than later.
However,
it would be naive to think this path is free of obstacles. There are still
concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly
stressed the importance of securing Palestinian rights in any deal, and it’s
likely that Riyadh will push for concessions on this front. But Israel, under
its current government, has shown little inclination to make significant moves
toward a two-state solution. This impasse could delay the deal, but it is
unlikely to stop it altogether. Both countries recognize the bigger picture—an
alliance that would strengthen their regional positions and provide them with
the tools to combat shared threats.
As
the proverb goes, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
Iran has long been the disruptive force in the Middle East, but if Israel and
Saudi Arabia can normalize ties, they will be the ones trampling Iran’s
ambitions, not each other. Their alliance would serve as a bulwark against
Iran’s destabilizing activities and could even pave the way for a more stable
and secure Middle East.
At
the end of the day, Israel and Saudi Arabia have too much to lose if they allow
Iran’s mischief to dictate the region’s future. As both nations inch closer to
normalization, the benefits of such a deal far outweigh the costs. Iran’s
attempts to derail this historic moment are nothing more than a desperate ploy
to maintain its grip on a region that is ready for change. And, as the clock
ticks, one can only imagine the irony when Tehran realizes that its own actions
have hastened the very alliance it so desperately tried to prevent.
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