Coronavirus offers Israel opportunity to strengthen ties with Gulf states
May 11, 2020
The Israeli press reported May 11 that Bahrain and another unnamed Gulf state recently reached out to Israel for assistance in fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic. The countries reportedly contacted Sheba Hospital, requesting information on its response to the pandemic. Specifically, it seems that both countries are interested in installing an advanced telemedicine system.
Earlier on May 5, Barak Ravid of Channel 13 reported that the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, said during a Zoom webinar that her country won’t oppose cooperating with Israel in countering the coronavirus crisis. “I’m sure there is a lot of scope for cooperation. I don’t think we would be opposed to it, because I really think the public health space should be an unpoliticized space where we all try and pool our knowledge of this virus,” said Nusseibeh, speaking at the online conference hosted by the American Jewish Committee.
These reports are especially significant on the backdrop of Arab condemnation of Israel over the intention of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex West Bank lands this coming summer. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said May 10, “This unilateral step is illegal, undermines chances for peace and contradicts all efforts made by the international community to reach a lasting political solution in accordance with relevant international resolutions.” Already on April 30, the Arab League convened an emergency videoconference of Arab foreign ministers, condemning Israel’s plan to annex West Bank lands.
Still, there are other signs of willingness by Gulf countries to expand relations with Israel, especially in regard to management of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, and on the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, there were reports that the UAE agreed to evacuate from Morocco both its citizens and Israeli nationals stuck in the country on one flight to be operated by the Gulf state. The proposal was eventually blocked by Rabat, angry not to have been consulted ahead on the issue.
In fact, even in Saudi Arabia, there are small signs of a change, though not really coronavirus-related or induced. Last January, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced that both Jews and Arab citizens would be allowed to visit the kingdom, though Saudi Arabia did not confirm any change in its policy. Also, a television series aired in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan offered a positive depiction of a Jewish community in the Gulf at the time of the foundation of the State of Israel. Some viewers protested, but others continued to watch.