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WikiLeaks: Israel, Gulf States Conducted Secret Diplomacy

(Washington Times) Eli Lake - Israel and Persian Gulf states carried out extensive secret diplomacy in recent years to coordinate policy and exchange information on the threat posed by Iran. A March 19, 2009, cable quotes Yacov Hadas, deputy director of Israel's Foreign Ministry, as telling an American diplomat: "The Gulf Arabs believe in Israel's role because of their perception of Israel's close relationship with the U.S., but also due to their sense that they can count on Israel against Iran." Aaron David Miller, who has been a senior Middle East adviser to six secretaries of state, said every Arab country with the exception of Iraq under Saddam Hussein and Libya has had some diplomatic channel to Israel. Israeli diplomats told the Washington Times that Israeli officials have looked to coordinate some aspects of Iran policy with Arab states in private meetings in Europe and on the sidelines of international meetings. Israelis have shared information with Gulf states on weapons and high-tech shipments bound for Iran.
2010-12-02 10:09:34
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