Israel 'normalistion': Is Saudi Arabia softening its stance?

Al Jazeera ^ | 9.16.2020

[libh8er]

After deals with UAE and Bahrain, there are signs Saudi Arabia is preparing its people to warm to Israel.

When one of Saudi Arabia's leading Muslim leaders called this month for Muslims to avoid "passionate emotions and fiery enthusiasm" towards Jews, it was a marked change in tone for someone who has shed tears preaching about Palestine in the past.

The sermon by Abdulrahman al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, broadcast on Saudi state television on September 5, came three weeks after the United Arab Emirates agreed upon a historic deal to normalise relations with Israel and days before the Gulf state of Bahrain, a close Saudi ally, followed suit.

Sudais, who in past sermons prayed for Palestinians to have victory over the "invader and aggressor" Jews, spoke about how the Prophet Muhammad was good to his Jewish neighbour and argued the best way to persuade Jews to convert to Islam was to "treat them well".

[traderrob6]

If it makes them feel more secure against Iran.....Most definately

[Parmy]

They will is they don’t want to be left behind.

[Gen.Blather]

SA is between a rock and fundamentals Islam. SA desperately needs Israel. Relations with Israel gives them an unlockable port for their oil, financing, technology and a strategic oartner against common enemies. On the other side, any recognition of Israel requires every devoute Muslim to destroy them.

[SeekAndFind]

Saudi Arabia, if she truly follows the path of UAE and Bahrain, will be the straw that breaks the camel’s ( the war mongers) back.

All indications look positive at this time. Saudi Arabia actually ALLOWED Commercial flights from Israel to go through her airspace on the way to the UAE!

[gibsonguy]

The writings on the wall here. SA allowed Israel passenger jets over their air space. It would sure be nice if they joined UAE before the Election. If they do we will know SA expects and wants Trump to win.

[silverleaf]

Fundamentalism is a much bigger threat to the SRF than is Israel
And a major impediment to economic growth and development

Fundamentalism coming both from Iran and its surrogates, and from within
SA

I”m sure they didn’t need Trump to tell them this, only his support to help them develop a pragmatic way to deal with it.

[faithhopecharity]

The Koran quotes Allah instructing his followers that he has given the land to the Jews.

any real, sincere Moslem has to know this (it is stated at least twice in Koran, and clearly so).

Opposing Allah’s direct instructions results in being banished to Johannam (Hell, and almost everyone there gets the Fire treatment, too).

All the iman has to do is start preaching from Koran suras (chapters) 5 and 17.

[central_va]

Trump’s fault.

[Biggirl]

Look for KSA to sign on with a peace deal with Israel.

[Biggirl]

Yet there are Muslim shrines in Israel, and the Irael government protects the shrines important to Jews, Christians,and Muslims.

[Demiurge2]

Now we just have to trust Saudi Arabia not to say one thing, but fund something very different.

[aimhigh]

I’m curious what impact these agreements are having on Israel’s desire to annex more land.

[Joe Boucher]

Israel and Saudi Arabia are already secretly working together against Iran.
Both need each other else Iran will continue and get worse.

[bert]

I will argue that actions although not publacized speak louder than words.

Saudi Arabia has a population including radicals that can cause very big problems. Best not to rile them and just go about business.

Business allows the USAF to base F22’s in the kingdom. The USAF is once again present. We do not know the unofficial or perhaps secret diplomacy between the Kingdom and Israel. We for instance don’t know how the various covert joint operations in Iran are carried out.

Some one wrote that the agreement put Iran in Checkmate. I think that is a good assessment.

[silverleaf]

Everyone in it to contain Iran, please raise your hand!
https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2020/09/15/exclusive-pompeo-on-trumps-peace-push-deals-are-all-connected-to-trumps-strategy-recognizing-iran-as-primary-operator-for-inst/

[BeauBo]

How fast can the Saudis run a pipeline through Jordan, to Israeli ports on the Mediterranean?

Yet another good strategic reason.

[suthener]

If President Trump can can get Muslims to get along with Jews I don’t think there is anything he can’t do. Seriously.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[BeauBo]

"an unlockable port for their oil"

A pipeline through Jordan to and Israeli port, would get around Iran's perennial threat to shut the Straits of Hormuz.

A Strategic benefit.

The old Trans Arabic Pipeline (Tapline) was still there during the Gulf War - I spray painted Some "Kilroy Was Here" graffiti on it, like my Dad liked to recall doing in WWII.

The route is already there, all the way to Israel's Golan Heights, so they would just need about a 50-100 mile right of way to the coast (and refurbish the existing old pipeline). The old Tapline terminated in the Port of Sidon, Lebanon.

According to Wikipedia: "At least one analysis has indicated that the transportation cost of exporting oil via the Tapline through Haifa to Europe would cost as much as 40 percent less than shipping by tanker through the Suez Canal. In early 2005, rehabilitation of the Tapline at an estimated cost of US$100 to US$300 million"