Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen revealed that “six or seven” Islamic countries are poised to formalize their ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords. This development is contingent upon Saudi Arabia aligning itself with nations like the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan in establishing normalized relations.
During his conversation with KAN News, Cohen mentioned, “Once Saudi Arabia joins the peace circle, six or seven countries from Africa and Asia will be on board.” He further hinted at discussions with officials from Muslim-majority countries that Israel hasn’t established official relations yet.
A Diplomatic Misstep with Libya
However, Cohen’s diplomatic endeavours haven’t always been smooth. A recent controversy unravelled when Cohen’s team announced a covert meeting with Libya’s then-foreign minister, Najla Mangoush, in Rome. The revelation led to her dismissal, protests across North Africa, and her subsequent departure to London.
Read: Netanyahu Terms Israel-Saudi Peace Agreement, A New Dawn in the Middle East
Reports from The Cradle suggest US officials admonished Cohen for jeopardizing the fragile communication bridge with Libya. An anonymous Mossad source expressed a grim perspective on the situation, asserting that Cohen’s move had caused significant setbacks in building ties with Libya.
Israel’s Expansionist Vision
Following Cohen’s statements, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the UN General Assembly podium. He conveyed optimism about Israel’s prospect of normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. However, his presentation, which depicted the West Bank, Gaza, and Golan Heights as Israeli territories, drew attention.
While signalling potential concessions to the Palestinians, Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of the normalization process, pointing towards the 2024 US electoral timeline. The sentiment of impending normality with Israel was also echoed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who expressed that the agreement is drawing nearer daily.
Yet, in a contradictory twist, the Saudi foreign minister stressed the indispensability of a sovereign Palestinian state for any lasting peace agreement with Israel.
