JERUSALEM, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Mutual concerns about rising Iranian influence offer an opportunity for Israel and Saudi Arabia, normally hostile, to join forces.
Reports on possible meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Saudi officials indicate that such a partnership is being considered, the Jerusalem Post said Tuesday. But this coordination must be discreet.
Both countries see Iran as a mutual enemy, the Post said, and the Saudis are concered that Iran may support terrorist activities in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi coordination with Israel was most evident during the war in Lebanon, the newspaper said, because the country saw Syrian support for Hezbollah. A Middle Eastern Studies scholar said increased influence of Hezbollah and Iran is another source of concern for Sunni-dominated countries such as Saudi Arabia.
The situation in the Middle East prompts such alliances, the newspaper said. But they must be done discretely because there is little public support.
The United States, the scholar said, could develop an alliance among Sunni regimes such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the Palestinians, providing a forum for the regimes to work with Israel out of the public eye, the Post said.
