Netanyahu says Israel is an ‘ally’ of Arab region states against Iran
▶ During a visit to Brazil, he said ‘unfortunately’ no progress on Palestinian peace process
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Arab countries considered Israel to be an indispensable ally against Iran and ISIS.
That recognition caused “a revolution in relations with the Arab world”, Mr Netanyahu told Brazil’s Globo TV on Monday during a visit to Rio de Janeiro.
In October, Mr Netanyahu paid a rare visit to Oman’s Sultan Qaboos, then flew to Chad where he told President Idriss Deby of plans to visit more Arab states soon.
He flew to Muscat in a private jet through Saudi Arabian airspace even though commercial Israeli flights are not allowed to do so.
Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab states to have normalised diplomatic relations with Israel but public opinion in those countries remains staunchly anti-Israel and Mr Netanyahu seldom publicly visits them.
Israel has increased air strikes on the Iranian military in neighbouring Syria. It is coming to grips with the decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw American troops from the conflict.
Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran has maintained that its nuclear development, significantly curtailed in line with an agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2015, was for peaceful energy production.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel was actively and effectively battling Iran, ISIS and Al Qaeda.
“Unfortunately, we have not made any advance with the Palestinians,” he said. “Half of them are already under the gun of Iran and of radical Islam.”
Asked if he could ever contemplate sitting down with an Iranian leader to talk peace, Mr Netanyahu said: “If Iran remains committed to our destruction, the answer is no.”
He said talks could take place only if Iran underwent a total transformation.
Mr Netanyahu was in Brazil to attend yesterday’s inauguration of pro-Israel President, Jair Bolsonaro. He also held talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is also among the visiting dignitaries.
They also discussed the US troop pull-out from Syria and Iranian interference in the Middle East.
The Israeli leader is mired in domestic troubles, with several charges of corruption hanging over him. He said on Monday that he would not resign if prosecutors indicted him before an early election in April.
Mr Netanyahu would not be required to resign if charged in any of the three cases of alleged corruption, but he would probably face intense pressure to do so.
“I have no intention to resign, firstly because there will be nothing to come from the probes and secondly because the law does not oblige me to do so,” he said.
“That would be a serious breach of Israeli democracy.”
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s decision on the indictments is expected in the coming months and analysts say Mr Netanyahu’s decision to call early elections was to fight any charges with a new mandate.
Netanyahu was in Brazil to attend yesterday’s inauguration of pro-Israel president Jair Bolsonaro