Egypt and Saudi Arabia to press for increased ties between Arab states with Israel

Saudi Arabia and Egypt to press for diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and Arab states; Crown Prince and Sisi met on Trump peace plan, bilateral ties, Palestinians and security.

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Egypt and Saudi Arabia will press for Arab states to establish diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

Reports surfaced Thursday from the UK’s Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a delegation of Saudi officials from its intelligence, political and economic branches held meetings with Egyptian officials and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi this week. The meetings were centered on efforts to create ties between Arab states with Israel and President Trump’s peace plan. The officials also discussed the Palestinian issue, bilateral ties and security.

The Trump Administration has kept details of the peace deal from the press, however, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, reported earlier this week that the plan is completed and would be revealed in early 2019. He reiterated “We don’t know the details of the plan, but we know that it’s completed.”

According to Thursday’s report, Egypt again proposed a summit to be held with Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority. Additional Arab states may also be invited to the summit.

Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia also announced they would continue their blockade alongside Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on Qatar. The air, land and sea blockade was placed in June of 2017 to combat Qatar’s terrorism networks and financing.

There have been several significant developments in increased ties between Arab and Muslim states with Israel this week. Chad’s President made history as the first Chadian official to visit Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to expand his efforts to central Africa and reports claim he will make an official visit to Chad in the coming weeks to announce bilateral ties.

Oman for the second time called on Arab states to accept Israel as a player in the region, the Secretary General of Oman’s Foreign Ministry, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, stating on Sunday “Arab states need to come to terms with the reality that Israel is a fact of life in this region and [Israel] should share rights as well as obligations.”

Be sure to watch Amir’s special updates from this week alongside Pastor JD Farag on these developments and much more.