“Several Muslim Nations Expected to Forge Diplomatic Relations with Israel, Says Foreign Minister
LAHORE MIRROR — Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has asserted that approximately “six or seven” Muslim nations are poised to enter into normalization agreements with Israel once Saudi Arabia follows the footsteps of the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan in joining the Abraham Accords.
Cohen’s remarks were made during an interview with KAN News on Friday. Although he refrained from disclosing the specific nations involved, he alluded to meetings with officials from Muslim countries that lack formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
שר החוץ אלי כהן: “נפגשתי עם מדינות מוסלמיות משמעותיות שאין לנו קשרים איתן. עוד 7-6 מדינות מאפריקה ואסיה יצטרפו לשלום עם סעודיה”@SuleimanMas1 ו-@shemeshmicha , שליחי כאן חדשות עם פמליית רה”מ לאמריקה pic.twitter.com/1Ll0ic3Ao8
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 22, 2023
It is noteworthy that Cohen’s prior discussions with former Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush in Rome had ignited a diplomatic crisis with Libya less than a month ago, resulting in protests and Mangoush’s subsequent dismissal.
Both US officials and Israeli media had criticized Cohen for the harm inflicted on relations with Libya.
Cohen’s recent interview coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. During his speech, Netanyahu declared that Israel stands on the verge of normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia.
In his address, Netanyahu unveiled two maps indicating Israel’s territorial claims over the occupied Palestinian regions, including the West Bank, Gaza, and Syria’s Golan Heights.
Netanyahu also referenced a “limited window of opportunity” for reaching agreements in the coming months, seemingly alluding to the rush to secure normalization accords prior to the onset of the 2024 US election season. He expressed his willingness to explore measures that could benefit Palestinians while safeguarding Israel’s pursuit of peace.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments, suggesting that a normalization deal is “drawing nearer.” Nevertheless, the Saudi foreign minister emphasized that any potential peace treaty with Israel would hinge on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
