As Israel approaches its fourth election cycle in the last two years, the prime minister cancelled multiple campaign events to make a spontaneous trip to the Gulf region.
Even though Israel’s fourth election cycle is set to take place on Tuesday, March 23, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled multiple campaign events to make an impromptu trip to the Gulf region. Netanyahu has intended to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for months following the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries in September, but reoccurring issues related to COVID-19 and politics have prevented a trip until now.
While this trip creates an opportunity for the PM to make his first official trip to the UAE, the sudden cancellation of campaign events and rumors of an Israel-Gulf region military alliance amid Iranian aggression is leading many to speculate that this trip has an agenda that goes far beyond a simple meet and greet.
Just a couple of weeks ago, there were reports that Israel was in discussion with other countries in the region to form a four-nation defense alliance to confront the Islamic Republic’s agenda and influence in the Middle East. One of the key nations involved in this alleged alliance is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Though they have no official diplomatic ties with the Jewish State, the Saudis are believed to have worked with Israel in various ways in the past.
Amid the shift in approach from the new US administration concerning Israel and the region, the Saudi Kingdom is believed to be even more incentivized to work with the Jewish State. Though Netanyahu’s visit may very well be limited to the UAE, Saudi Arabia is likely to be discussed.
