JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has claimed that “six or seven” Muslim nations will sign normalization agreements with Israel once Saudi Arabia follows in the footsteps of the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan in joining the Abraham Accords.
Cohen made this statement during an interview with KAN News on Friday. He did not disclose the names of the nations, but mentioned that he had met with officials from Muslim nations with which Israel does not have formal diplomatic ties.
It’s worth noting that less than a month ago, Cohen’s talks with former Libyan foreign minister Najla Mangoush in Rome sparked a diplomatic crisis with Libya, resulting in protests and Mangoush’s dismissal.
US officials and Israeli media criticized Cohen for the damage caused to relations with Libya.
Cohen’s recent interview followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where he announced that Israel is “on the cusp” of normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia.
During the speech, Netanyahu displayed two maps indicating Israel’s claim over the occupied Palestinian territories – the West Bank, Gaza, and Syria’s Golan Heights.
Netanyahu also mentioned a “limited window of opportunity” for reaching agreements in the coming months, seemingly referring to the rush to secure normalization deals before the 2024 US election season begins. He expressed willingness to consider benefits for Palestinians without compromising Israel’s peace.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) echoed Netanyahu’s sentiment, suggesting that a normalization deal is “getting closer.” However, the Saudi foreign minister emphasized that any peace treaty with Israel is contingent on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
