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Israel's Minister of Transport and Intelligence, Israel Katz, visited Oman this week to discuss a proposed rail link between Israel and the Gulf States, which would be another sign of warming relations between them.
Katz will also participate in a conference on international transport in Sultan, where he will present the initiative "Tracks for Regional Peace". Israel weather reported.
The line is to connect the port of the Israeli city of Haifa in the north of the country with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states.
The initiative also calls for a stopover in Jenin, in the West Bank, promising peaceful coexistence with Palestinians and other regional partners.
Although Israel does not have formal diplomatic relations with Oman or other Gulf states, contact and cooperation among states would have been strengthened, contrary to Iran's willingness to mobilize its Shiite allies in the region. .
Last month, Netanyahu had a surprise interview with Sultan Qaboos of Oman in Muscat, accompanied by the president of Mossad.
United States Ambassador to Israel, Jason Greenblatt, welcomed the strengthening of relations between Israel and Oman.
"In recent days, we have seen our regional partners, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, issue announcements and take steps to signal warmer relations with Israel," Greenblatt said, adding that better relations between the Jewish state and Arab countries Middle East more stable and more prosperous.
A few days later, the controversial Minister of Culture and Sports, Miri Regev, visited the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque of the United Arab Emirates, the Israeli Minister of Communications, Ayoub Kara, expressed in Dubai and l & # 39; 39; Israeli national anthem was played at a judo competition in Abu Dhabi.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly visited Oman just days before Netanyahu's clandestine trip. An Omani envoy went to Ramallah following Israel 's visit to the Gulf country.
And while Israel's attempt to woo this region has long been waiting, according to analysts, the conflict between Iran, on the one hand, and the United States, Israel and the Gulf, of the other, propelled the talks to new public highs. .
The Gulf states have held clandestine talks with Israel for decades, dating back at least to the early 1980s. Arab leaders have not, however, made public historical discussions about the fear of a public reaction on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Broader political alignment, mainly on the need to contain Iran, may have encouraged both parties to make public these talks while Israel has pledged to prevent Tehran from retreating militarily. in Syria, where Iran supports President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war.
At present, only two Arab countries have full diplomatic relations with Israel: Egypt and Jordan.
Qatar has informal ties with Israel and its rival Iran, with whom it shares a gas field. Until 2000, the emirate housed an Israeli trade representation office.
Doha is also providing humanitarian assistance – and fuel – to the Gaza Strip, under an agreement with Israel, backed by the United States.
At a regional defense conference held in the Bahrain capital Friday, the Omani foreign minister said it could be "time for Israel to be treated the same way" (as States of the Middle East) and carries the same obligations "- a statement endorsed by Bahrain. .
