Saudi-Iran accord victory for IR, bad for 'Israel': Israeli officials
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Israeli media reports on the agreement that took place between Iran and Saudi Arabia as the WSJ hails a "diplomatic victory" for China.
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In this photo released by Nournews, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, right, China's most senior diplomat Wang Yi, center, and Saudi Arabia's National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban looks on during an agreement signing ceremony between Iran and Saudi Arabia to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after seven years of tensions between the two countries, in Beijing, China, Friday, March 10, 2023 (Nournews via AP)
Numerous Israeli officials and media websites touched on the agreement that took place a few hours ago between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which saw both countries making amends and agreeing to resume dialogue and diplomatic ties, as well as opening embassies within two months, and the prevailing sentiment regarding the accord seems to be negative for the occupation.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attacked incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Saudi-Iranian agreement, saying it was "a resounding failure stemming from political negligence and overall weakness and internal conflict within the state."
"The rapprochement is a serious, dangerous development for Israel, and it is a serious political victory for Iran," Bennett said.
"The deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia is extremely bad for Israel," Israeli Knesset member and the head of the Knesset Foreign Relations Committee Yuli Edelstein said. "It is time to sit down, talk, and resolve our disputes so we can go back to being united in the face of the existential threat we are facing; only that way will we be victorious."
"The agreement is a total failure, and it is dangerous for Israel's foreign policy," Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid underlined. "This is what happens when we are occupied daily with the judicial crisis instead of doing something about Iran and bolstering our relations with the United States."
Former Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz said the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia was a serious development and the "massive security threats are increasing, and the prime minister and the Knesset are too busy with their authoritarian coup."
International reactions
"We hope that the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement contributes to enhancing regional security and stability and consolidating positive and constructive cooperation that benefits all the peoples of the region and the world," the Omani Foreign Ministry said.
#بيــان | أعربت وزارة الخارجية عن ترحيب سلطنة عُمان بالبيان الثلاثي المشترك الصادر من المملكة العربية السعودية والجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية وجمهورية الصين الشعبية باستئناف العلاقات الدبلوماسية السعودية الإيرانية وإعادة فتح سفارتيهما وممثلياتهما خلال مدة أقصاها شهران (٣/١) pic.twitter.com/CrHfStatdI
— وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) March 10, 2023
"The region needs the return of normal relations between its countries," said the head of the Yemeni Sanaa negotiating delegation, Mohammad Abdul Salam.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, welcomed the agreement reached between the two countries, saying the agreement was reached through Baghdad bolstering the foundation of the ties between Riyadh and Tehran through the talks it hosted before they were transferred to Oman and finally concluded under China's auspices.
تُعرِبُ وزارة الخارجيَّة عن ترحيبها بالإتفاق الذي تمَّ التوصُّل إليه بين المملكة العربيَّة السعوديَّة والجُمْهُوريَّة الإسلاميَّة الإيرانيَّة، لتبدأ بموجبه صفحة جديدة من العلاقات الدبلوماسيَّة بين البلدين. pic.twitter.com/uyoC34hgSd
— وزارة الخارجية العراقية (@Iraqimofa) March 10, 2023
After seven years of strained ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies series of talks brokered in Beijing, China under the auspices of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
According to the joint statement, "the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies and missions within two months of talks."
Moreover, Iran and Saudi Arabia said they "thank the Republic of Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the talks held between the two sides in 2021 and 2022, as well as the leaders and government of the People's Republic of China for hosting and supporting the talks held in that country."
Diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia grew strained following the execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in January 2016.
Sheikh al-Nimr was a vocal critic of the Saudi government.
The Sheikh raised his voice against corruption and political injustice inflicted on marginalized groups that constitute minorities in different regions of the Kingdom, notably Al-Qatif.
The Saudi authorities arrested him in 2011 for participating in protests in the Eastern Province calling for political reform. They executed al-Nimr and 46 others under the pretext of "fighting terror" only to oppress dissidents and opponents.
Iran continuously expressed support for Sanaa in its self-defense against the Saudi-led coalition aggression against the country which resulted in further drift between Tehran and Riyadh during the past year.
Check out: Who is Sheikh Al-Nimr?
