Benjamin Netanyahu was left “stunned” by the extent of Arab support for the Trump administration’s anticipated Middle East peace plan, a former Israeli foreign advisor has said.
Nimrod Novik, who was previously advised Shimon Peres on foreign policy matters, said the present Israeli Prime Minister was taken aback by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’s stance to a White House plan for “enduring peace” between Israel and Palestinians.
Support for the US plan has been aided by concern from both Israel and the Saudis over Iran’s growing influence in the region and the wider threat of jihadist extremism.
Mr Novik, a fellow at the Israel Policy Forum think tank, told The Times: “Netanyahu was stunned when he found out the extent to which the Arab Quartet, but particularly the Saudis and UAE, are willing to go in supporting the process, including steps that help demonstrate to Israelis that promise of regional acceptance is not a mirage.”
