The international scandal over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi almost undermined the process of rapprochement of Riyadh with the leadership of Israel. Such conclusions can be drawn from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) publication, which states that those involved in the Istanbul case were responsible for Saudi feedback channels with the Jewish state. However, now the Crown Prince is credited with a plan according to which the effect of the normalization of relations between Riyadh and Jerusalem should eclipse the story of Khashoggi.
Former royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani and former deputy head of Saudi intelligence Ahmed al-Assiri, who were in the center of the investigation of the murder of Khashoggi, were responsible for the behind-the-scenes negotiations of the Saudi leadership with the Israeli authorities. This information is shared by the WSJ with reference to high-ranking Saudi officials. Reports of the murder of a journalist known for his revelations about the life of the ruling house of Al Saud came at a time when negotiations between the two countries, long considered strategic opponents, were obviously in full swing. Al-Qahtani called responsible for directives for the Saudi press with a recommendation to improve the image of Israel. According to Saudi officials, the former adviser also participated in the purchase of advanced surveillance technologies from Israeli firms. They were necessary for the kingdom to suppress political dissent, which included spying on oppositionists and hacking electronic systems. Major General Al-Assiri, who was formally subordinate to Al-Qahtani, secretly traveled to Israel several times, becoming the most senior Saudi official who visited it.
However, to say that after the murder of Khashoggi and the international condemnation of Riyadh, the trend towards Saudi-Israeli warming will disappear, it is impossible. Probably, countries will continue to build relationships. Strengthening ties is already emerging from the non-public domain. Part of the sky over the Persian Gulf will open to planes from Israel soon. This was announced by the Prime Minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu. "When I was visiting Oman, I spoke with Sultan Qaboos, who confirmed to me: El Al would be allowed to fly over Oman,".
The countries have a mutual economic interest. The Saudi government has invested at least $ 100 million in various Israeli companies, according to sources close to the deals. Officials from Saudi Arabia claim that, despite the fact that after the murder of Khashoggi, the agreements were partially frozen, contacts on them continue. The head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, met with Saudi officials several times over the past year. Business interests of the two countries converge in the field of spyware. Thus, according to the WSJ, Al-Qahtani sought to obtain programs created by the Israeli manufacturer NSO Group and one of its subsidiaries. “Al-Qahtani was a key player in all of this,” says one of the Saudi officials. “He wanted the best and knew that Israeli firms only offer the best.” The NSO Group itself claims that it provides its technologies to intelligence and law enforcement agencies in order to combat terrorism.
Currently, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, who was named the main customer for the murder of Khashoggi, is trying to neutralize the effect of this scandal by preparing a historic meeting with the leader of Israel. About this write’s portal based in Britain Middle East Eye. According to him, the heir to the Saudi throne "seriously considers" the organization of negotiations in the spirit of the Camp David Accords, which would have been attended by the American President Donald Trump. According to a source of Middle East Eye, Prince Mohammed created a group of specialists who would develop the agenda for the meeting. However, the main purpose of this event should be to change the image of the Crown Prince.
Experts say that the involvement of Saudi advisers in the Israeli dossier’s “Khashoggi case” does not cast a shadow on the reputation of the Jewish state. “Israel’s reputation is not harmful,” said NG Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the Higher School of Economics Leonid Isaev. “I think a coincidence happened here, that these same people are responsible for Israeli topics.” Saudis will find other people.”
However, to say that after the murder of Khashoggi and the international condemnation of Riyadh, the trend towards Saudi-Israeli warming will disappear, it is impossible. Probably, countries will continue to build relationships. Strengthening ties is already emerging from the non-public domain. Part of the sky over the Persian Gulf will open to planes from Israel soon. This was announced by the Prime Minister of the Jewish state, Benjamin Netanyahu. "When I was visiting Oman, I spoke with Sultan Qaboos, who confirmed to me: El Al would be allowed to fly over Oman,".
The countries have a mutual economic interest. The Saudi government has invested at least $ 100 million in various Israeli companies, according to sources close to the deals. Officials from Saudi Arabia claim that, despite the fact that after the murder of Khashoggi, the agreements were partially frozen, contacts on them continue. The head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, met with Saudi officials several times over the past year. Business interests of the two countries converge in the field of spyware. Thus, according to the WSJ, Al-Qahtani sought to obtain programs created by the Israeli manufacturer NSO Group and one of its subsidiaries. “Al-Qahtani was a key player in all of this,” says one of the Saudi officials. “He wanted the best and knew that Israeli firms only offer the best.” The NSO Group itself claims that it provides its technologies to intelligence and law enforcement agencies in order to combat terrorism.
Currently, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, who was named the main customer for the murder of Khashoggi, is trying to neutralize the effect of this scandal by preparing a historic meeting with the leader of Israel. About this write’s portal based in Britain Middle East Eye. According to him, the heir to the Saudi throne "seriously considers" the organization of negotiations in the spirit of the Camp David Accords, which would have been attended by the American President Donald Trump. According to a source of Middle East Eye, Prince Mohammed created a group of specialists who would develop the agenda for the meeting. However, the main purpose of this event should be to change the image of the Crown Prince.
Experts say that the involvement of Saudi advisers in the Israeli dossier’s “Khashoggi case” does not cast a shadow on the reputation of the Jewish state. “Israel’s reputation is not harmful,” said NG Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the Higher School of Economics Leonid Isaev. “I think a coincidence happened here, that these same people are responsible for Israeli topics.” Saudis will find other people.”
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