Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he is seeking a “non-aggression” pact with Arab Gulf states in a tweet on Sunday. Katz said he presented the plan to Gulf leaders during the UN General Assembly in New York in September, he did not specify which leaders he spoke with.
“Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign ‘non-aggression agreements’ with the Arab Gulf states,” Katz said on Twitter. “The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed.”
Out of the 22 Arab nations in the Middle East and North Africa, only Egypt and Jordan formally recognize Israel as a country. The occupation of Palestinian land is a major roadblock for any sort of peace deal between Israel and the Arab Gulf states but being common enemies of Iran may be enough to foster cooperation in the form of a “non-aggression” agreement.
On September 14th, the Houthis took credit for an attack on Saudi oil facilities that crippled the kingdom’s oil output. Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia were quick to blame the attack on Iran, despite having no evidence. Hawks in the U.S. government called on President Trump to attack Iran on behalf of Saudi Arabia; instead he imposed more sanctions.
Recent reports suggest the Saudis may participate in some indirect talks with Iran, most likely due to Trump’s unwillingness to go to war with Iran. This announcement from Katz could sabotage these talks.
This:
“Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign ‘non-aggression agreements’ with the Arab Gulf states,” Katz said on Twitter.
And This:
“Recent reports suggest the Saudis may participate in some indirect talks with Iran, most likely due to Trump’s unwillingness to go to war with Iran. This announcement from Katz could sabotage these talks.”
Can’t have them talking for Christ’s sake. It might work.
Non-aggression and Israel is an oxymoron.
I notice that no “non-aggression” agreement was offered to the Occupied Nation of Palestine. I guess the Zionists want to quarrel with other Arabs while they concentrate on obliterating the Palestinians.
And Southern Lebanon, and the rest of the Syrian Golan region almost to Damascus. Those with the West Bank seem like the next big bites on the agenda to continue to enlarge Israel.
Israel is saying that if their neighbors thought Israel’s aggressive actions thus far were big, they aint seen nothin yet… and they want to be certain the arab world won’t attack Israel no matter what they do next.
Non-aggression sounds like “no war.” In practice, it has been used to cover one front, in order to attack someone else on another front.
Looking at Israel in the harsh light of its behavior since 1956, I expect this means they will be attacking other nations, and just want to be free to do so.
One wonders how many heads would explode if Iran extended an offer of an unconditional non-aggression pact to Israel. If the Israelis accept it, they lose their boogeyman in the region- but if they refuse it, it outs them as not wanting peace at all and the whole world will be watching. Either way, Iran wins.