Despite the string of reports suggesting that President Joe Biden's visit to the region in mid-July will include the launch of a new defense pact between Israel and Arab states that would counter Iran, there are growing signs the presidential tour will fall short of such a development.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The original plan was reportedly to announce the de-facto alliance against Iran through missile defense initiatives that would counter Iranaian drones and projectiles. It was reportedly to comprise the US, Isreal, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as well other Arab nations that have no official ties with Israel, possibly even Qatar.
But with many of the Gulf's Arab states still maintaining ties with Iran, it appears that despite their concern over Iran's actions, they do not want to formally unite against it. Their preferred model would be to maintain their defense ties with Israel through unofficial channels. A diplomatic official, speaking with Israel Hayom, assessed that "Saudi Arabia is still not ready to formalize a defense pact with Israel, regardless of its relations with Iran."
Among Israel's top defense echelons there are also disagreements over the benefits such a pact would provide, with some claiming that its liabilities would outweight its benefits.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
