Saudi Arabia Inches Closer to Israel as it Deradicalises
Saudi Arabia and Israel have never forged formal diplomatic relations, yet recent reports suggest substantial behind-the-scenes collaboration in diplomacy, intelligence, and security. This warming of ties stems from the unofficial Arab-Israeli alliance, aimed at countering shared threats, particularly Iran’s regional influence, and reshaping perceptions of Saudi Arabia as a nation moving away from religious radicalism.
Dating back to the 1960s, Saudi Arabia and Israel have engaged in clandestine cooperation, primarily against mutual adversaries. Efforts to formalise relations were underway, with the United States brokering talks between Riyadh, Washington, and Tel Aviv to establish a strategic anti-Iran alliance. However, these efforts were disrupted by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terror attack. Subsequently, a military coalition of Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Western powers, emerged to counter Iran’s influence, bolstering regional security.
Saudi Arabia has openly accused Iran of orchestrating conflicts through proxies like Hamas, hindering efforts to normalise relations with Israel. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia has implemented extensive de-radicalisation programs since 2004, aimed at “deprogramming” jihadist radicals and mitigating internal threats. These initiatives, overseen by committees of experts, address religious, psychological, and security dimensions of radicalisation.
Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” initiative spearheads comprehensive reforms across various sectors, seeking to diversify the economy and enhance national security. Acknowledging Israel’s technological advancements, Saudi Arabia aims to leverage Israeli expertise to achieve its economic and security objectives, in alignment with broader strategic goals.
MBS recognises Israel’s commercial and military strengths and values its principled stance on regional issues like Iran and nuclear proliferation. Saudi Arabia actively supports Israel’s peace treaties with other Arab nations, fostering regional stability. Moreover, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi’s adoption of Israeli surveillance software, Pegasus, underscores the growing security cooperation between Israel and Gulf states.
These developments signal a notable shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to extremism and regional politics, marked by a departure from past support for Islamic radicalisation. Saudi Arabia appears committed not only to combating extremism within its borders but also to promoting regional stability by countering jihadist violence rooted in extremist interpretations of Islam.
