Defense cooperation between Israel, Gulf states possible – officials

Israel is open to militant cooperation with Arab states that have hitherto been official enemies in the Jewish state, Israel’s chief security official said Tuesday. >>> Read more articles from Media Line. “Of course, there are many benefits,” said Moshe Patel, who heads the country’s Missile Protection Agency, when asked about possible missile technology exchanges between Israel and the newly discovered allies. the Gulf. “That information can be shared.” Patel’s comments were put behind the latest successful military exercise in Jerusalem, in which a multi-faceted test of the entire Israeli missile defense arsenal was conducted. The extensive sea-and-sea-based drill, performed by representatives from both Israeli and American missile groups, simultaneously tested the Iron Dome, David Sling and Arrow systems, testing the flexibility and interoperability of the arrays . While Patel acknowledged that changes had been made from the Gulf states on the issue of missile defense cooperation, he noted the issue that governments in Jerusalem and Washington needed to be reviewed and reviewed. agree and that no progress should be expected immediately. “Access to Israeli technology and innovation, including in the field of defense, is a key interest of the Arab Gulf states and its main driver for the summer normalization agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain,” Hugh Lovatt, Policy Alliance at the European Council on Foreign Relations, with The Media Line.

“Gulf Arab states have become increasingly concerned about Iran’s missile and drone capability, and their transfer to regional armed groups. Bullet attacks are again at Saudi bases by Houthi rebels, and the September 2019 attack against Aramco blames Iran and its agents, along with the lack of any significant U.S. response, has brought these dangers and concerns home to the Gulf states. ” Last week, Morocco became the fourth Arab state in as many months to agree to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, joining the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan. The so-called Abraham Accords have drawn new lines of flaw in the Middle East, with both sides pledging to forge close trade, economic and diplomatic ties. “It is clear that it is in the common interest of These countries are a threat to Iran, and there are certainly reasons to co-operate. I would not be surprised if there was co-operation earlier. It is only natural, “said Dr Joshua Teitelbaum from the Department of Studies. University of Bar-Ilan to The Media Line. “If things develop in a positive way, there’s no reason… [military] there could be no workers or real surgeons [stationed] in Arab countries, ”he said. Last month, following major U.S. elections, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu secretly flew to a Saudi port city in Neom to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two considered regional issues ahead of President Joe Biden’s entry into the White House. For the past two years, Iran has been undergoing a number of attacks from Iran and its agents, with the Yemen-based Shi’ite Houthi movement targeting tanker oil on the docking in Saudi Arabia with explosive devices. In 2019, Aramco’s oil facility was hit by a drone attack largely handed over to Tehran. “The U.S. would be interested in building wider capacity across the theater,” said Drs. Joshua Krasna of the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, who notes that Washington has for decades been cooperating with both Israeli and Gulf countries on missile protection issues. ” In addition, all of these countries are concerned about the long-term willingness of the U.S. to become heavily involved in the region and to begin thinking of creating an alternative security architecture based primarily on regional capability, ” said Krasna, who was a strategic analyst for the Israeli government and worked in several of its embassies Media Line.As for the benefits of Israel benefiting from such cooperation, Krasna noted , as well as the attractive opportunity to weaken Iran ‘s threat to the Middle East, “it costs a lot of money [the Gulf] side. That could be very appealing to Israeli businesses. ”But risks and weapons technologies are not shared with countries that have, in recent times, been seen as hostile to Israel and have refused to recognize its right to experts do not say that “Israel wants to protect it.” its qualitative margin of arms against regional neighbors – even those to which it signed peace agreements, ”Lovatt explains. “Any sale of technology by Israel (and the US) would have to be weighed against this idea.” “However, it seems that the sale of missile defense technology would be allowed. Israel is also likely to measure that its own interests are served by increasing the ability of Gulf states to better defend themselves against missile attacks by Iran and its agents. Krasna added: “There is a real danger. The UAE in particular has a large Iranian presence. Dubai is a major trading partner in Iran and in the past has been accused of aiding and abetting sanctions. There is a good chance that it would be easier for hostile elements to get their hands aware [material]. “In the past, Israel has overcome these difficulties by selling its weapons products in slightly less or modified capacity, with small changes ensuring that arms margins are not compromised. Last month, the U.S. Senate voted a motion opposing positive selling. arms and F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, clearing the way for the completion of the $ 23 billion arms deal. The affair with Netanyahu was accepted in August without the knowledge of his defense ministry of military officers, as a reward for UAE’s recognition of Israel’s recognition. “You wouldn’t want to do it [these deals] just for politics, you would want to make a real profit, ”said Teitelbaum. “It’s not just the technology.” If Israel can now use bases in the UAE instead of refueling in the medium [for a potential strike in Iran], that is also part of the military fringe. There are many considerations in this equation. ”For now, whether the missile defense cooperation discussed with Patel this week can still significantly change the Middle East’s outlook “The construction of anti – missile technology represents more strategic change. will not have a significant impact on Iran’s regional policy and position, ”said Lovatt. “That said, in fact, Iran sees the wider regional realignment that brought the states of Israel and the Gulf closer together as a challenge.” “But at the same time, they have continued to engage quietly with the Gulf states… on limited issues. Under the Biden Administration, there can be no doubt that there will be hope for openings to renew political dialogue and devaluation with these states, and seemingly move them away from tougher Israeli positions.