HERMINE HOVHANNISYAN
countries . However , it needs to be highlighted that he did not single out Saudi Arabia among the Middle Eastern countries . 41
Though most scholars think that cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia will lead to rapprochement , Abadi claims otherwise . Particularly , he argues that although both sides realize the necessity of forming an alliance against the Iranian nuclear threat , the Palestinian issue is a central obstacle in the normalization process . 42 Ivanov also emphasizes the fact that the Palestinian issue will continue to be a major stumbling block for the Kingdom and Israel to normalize their relations . However , due to the common concern , there are sentiments of rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel , aimed at countering Iran in the region . 43 He mentions that according to unofficial sources , Riyadh was ready to provide Israel With “ an air corridor , air bases for rescue helicopters , drones , and other armaments ” if Israel decided to attack Iran ’ s nuclear facilities . 44 Though this information was not confirmed officially , moreover it was formally denied , there is still enough evidence that shows that even in the absence of diplomatic relations , representatives of both sides unofficially contacted each other . However , he argues that it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will normalize its relations with Israel until the issue between the latter and Palestine is resolved . 45
Nevertheless , the common thread in these scholars ’ works is that Iran poses a real threat to both Saudi Arabia and Israel and that the threat is so crucial for them that it makes them put aside all existing issues and cooperate to eliminate the common threat .
Turkey ’ s geopolitical ascendancy
Turkey ’ s cordial relations with Israel go back to 1949 when Turkey was among the first Muslim countries that recognized the State of Israel . 46 Umut Uzer has analyzed Turkish-Israeli relations ’ dynamics since the establishment of the State of Israel . He claims that overall they have had cordial relations . Moreover , the 1990s were considered a golden
41
Ibid ., 513-541 . 42 Abadi , Saudi Arabia ’ s rapprochement with Israel : the national security imperatives .
43
Stanislav Ivanov , “ The Alliance between Israel and Saudi Arabia ,” New Eastern Outlook , September 15 , 2015 , https :// journal-neo . org / 2015 / 09 / 15 / the-alliance-betweenisrael-and-saudi-arabia /.
44
Ibid .
45
Ibid . 46 Umut Uzer , “ Turkish-Israeli Relations : Their Rise and Fall ,” Middle East Policy 20 , no . 1 ( 2013 ): 97 – 110 .
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