Railroad to connect Israel, Arab Gulf ‘makes sense’, says minister

MUSCAT — Israeli Transport Minister Yisrael Katz on Wednesday pitched plans to link the Mediterranean to the Gulf via Israel, pushing for unprecedented public rapprochement with Arab states.

"It makes sense and is beyond political and ideological disagreements," said Katz.

The "Tracks of Peace" rail link, which Katz said was supported by the administration of US President Donald Trump, was "based on two central ideas — Israel as a land bridge and Jordan as a regional transportation hub".

Katz, who was speaking at an international transport conference in Oman, said the proposed railway was favourable to Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states — as well as the Palestinian economy.

"It will create an additional trade route in the region, which is shorter, faster and cheaper, and will contribute to the economies of Jordan, the Palestinians — who will also be connected to the initiative — Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, and in the future Iraq as well," Katz said.

A transcript of the minister's comments was provided to AFP by his office.

The only countries Israel has diplomatic relations with are Egypt and Jordan, as the continued occupation and failure to reach peace in Palestine remains a major obstacle to official recognition by Arab countries

Katz's trip to Oman comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the Gulf sultanate — the first in more than 20 years by an Israeli premier.

The trip was a coup for Netanyahu, who wants to bolster ties with the Arab world in the face of the perceived expansion of Iranian influence across the region.

It also follows highly publicised visits late last month by Israel's culture and communications ministers to the United Arab Emirates.