Saudis give nod to Israeli raid on Iran (2)
The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility.
The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials.
“The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.
Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained “working relations” with the Saudis.
John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations who recently visited the Gulf, said it was “entirely logical” for the Israelis to use Saudi airspace.
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Updates:
3:37 pm EDT, July 5th, 2009 — Biden: U.S. Won’t Stand in Way of Israel on Iran Nukes
3:41 pm EDT, July 5th, 2009 — Israeli sub sails Suez, signaling reach to Iran
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BrianC Says:
This sounds like it was intentionally leaked as yet another warning to Iran.
Posted on July 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
mike Says:
The Saudis are happy to have Israel do the dirty work, then they will stand up in the UN and condemn Israel for doing what they really want done but don’t have the guts to do themselves.
They will still hate the Jews and still remain in solidarity with the other Arab nations and the Palestinians.
mid island mike
Posted on July 5th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Cynapse Says:
Mike: Both the Shiite Persians and the Jewish Israelis are rivals to the Sunni/Wahabbi Saudis. If one foe endeavors to destroy another another, why get in the way? That question is doubly valid if your army is well equipped but poorly populated.
Posted on July 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pm