Israelis Reach Out to Arab Nations That Share Fear of Ascendant Iran
WSJ via Iranvajahan ^ | October 03, 2006
iranvajahan.net
JERUSALEM -- Israel's summer war against Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants has redoubled its concerns about the threat from Iran, leading Israeli officials to reach out to Arab governments that share their concern about Tehran's growing influence in the region.
Leaders across the political spectrum here now agree that Israel must find ways to work with other Middle Eastern states, even if that means dealing with governments that have been hostile to Israel in the past. Asked in an interview last week if Saudi Arabia, a longtime backer of groups that have fought Israel, would be considered a moderate Arab nation Israel could potentially work with, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni replied bluntly: "Yes."
More keenly debated is how far Israel should go to broaden such ties -- particularly because its territorial dispute with the Palestinians is likely to come into diplomatic play. This week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is visiting the region, and she will focus on both Iran, which the U.S. worries is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and the Palestinian question.
The increased alarm here about Iran has arisen in large measure because of Israel's critical self-assessment of a war that ended indecisively in August, with Hezbollah -- and others in the region -- calling it a defeat for Israel's vaunted military. That left many Israeli leaders worried about an emboldened Iran.
"The main threat in this region is fundamentalism, radicalism and unconventional weapons -- everything under the title of Iran," said Ami Ayalon, a leader of Israel's Labor party.
The ascent of violent Islamism is another area where Israel's interests are converging with those of its Arab neighbors.
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