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Israel–Oman relations

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Israel-Oman relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Oman

Israel
Oman

Israel and Oman established unofficial trade relations in 1994. Despite this, as of 2008 Israeli citizens were prohibited entry into Oman.[1][failed verification] Economic cooperation between the two countries, though not significant, helped Oman to become a bridge between the Arab world and Israel.[citation needed] In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a delegation to Oman and met with Sultan Qaboos and other senior Omani officials.

History

Background

Unlike most other nations in the region, Oman has not participated in any of the armed conflicts fought between the Arab states and Israel.

Establishment of relations (1994–2000)

In 1994, then-prime minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin visited Oman, where he was greeted by Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said al Said in Muscat. Among other things, the two sides discussed issues such as sharing water and how to improve water supplies. In 1995, a few days after Rabin was assassinated, then-acting prime minister Shimon Peres hosted Omani foreign minister Yusuf Ibn Alawi in Jerusalem.[2]

In January 1996, Israel and Oman signed an agreement on the reciprocal opening of trade representative offices.[3]

Frozen relations (2000–18)

Official relations were frozen with the outbreak of the Second Intifada in October 2000.[4] Still, in 2008, Oman's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni during their visit to Qatar.[5]

Re-establishment (2018)

In October 2018, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said in Muscat; the visit was revealed following Netanyahu's return to Israel.[6] Right after the visit, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah described Israel as an "accepted Middle East state." He said, "The world is also aware of this fact. Maybe it is time for Israel to be treated the same [as others states] and also bear the same obligations."[7] In April 2019, bin Abdullah said that "Arabs must take initiatives to make Israel overcome 'fears for its future' in the region."[8]

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Podeh, Eli (November 8, 2018). "Israel's Renewed Affair with Oman". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Podeh, Eli (November 8, 2018). "Israel's Renewed Affair with Oman". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Foreign Ministry Spokesman (October 12, 2000). "Israel-Oman Relations" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  5. ^ Podeh, Eli (November 8, 2018). "Israel's Renewed Affair with Oman". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  6. ^ Lev, Tzvi (October 26, 2018). "Watch: Netanyahu Makes Secret Trip Overseas". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  7. ^ Paul, Katie (October 27, 2018). "Oman says time to accept Israel in region, offers help for peace". Reuters. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  8. ^ "Oman calls on Arabs to ease Israel's 'fears for its future'". i24 News. Agence France-Presse. April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
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