Last Friday, just before Shabbos, Netanyahu returned from a surprise trip to the Sultanate of Oman in the Persian Gulf. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu was accompanied by Mossad chief Yossi Cohen (who initiated the visit), National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat, Foreign Ministry Director-General Yuval Rotem, Chief of Staff Yoav Horowitz, and the IDF Military Secretary to the Prime Minister, Colonel Avi Balot.

Following the visit, Oman issued a statement that “Netanyahu and His Majesty discussed ways to advance the peace process in the Middle East, as well as several matters of joint interest regarding the achievement of peace and stability in the region.”

Only after the visit was made public was it discovered that last Sunday, prior to Netanyahu’s trip, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas had also spent two days meeting with the sultan. In a broadcast interview, Abbas said the purpose of his visit had been to coordinate positions on regional issues and discuss how to utilize diplomatic channels to present the Palestinian position; he expressed satisfaction with the meeting. The Palestinians did not state whether their visit was made with full knowledge that Netanyahu was also expected to meet with the sultan.

Omani authorities were the ones to reveal the news of Netanyahu’s visit, saying that teams from both countries had held a series of working meetings all Thursday night.

Oman has had security and economic ties with Israel for decades. For Oman to publicize Netanyahu’s warm welcome is quite an Israeli diplomatic achievement in and of itself. Significantly, Netanyahu’s Oman visit occurred just two days after Israel hosted the military chief of staff of Azerbaijan, Iran’s neighbor to the north.

The defense establishment says that the warming relations between Israel and Arab states must be seen within the context of the American peace initiative — outlined by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo about five months ago —which entails isolating and exerting economic pressure on Iran. The sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al Said, is the longest-serving Arab leader, assuming power in 1970 after overthrowing his father. The sultan holds the defense, foreign, finance, and intelligence portfolios in his government, and also heads Oman’s central bank.

Oman is a close ally of both Iran and Qatar. For years, Oman allowed Iran to use its banking system and, as part of the JCPOA (the Iran nuclear deal) signed in 2015, even authorized the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to maintain a heavy water installation on Omani territory. Oman opposes sanctions against Iran, and recently announced plans to build a pipeline between the two countries. During the previous round of sanctions, Oman helped Iranian smugglers manage their businesses. The sultan has also expressed opposition to Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran policy.

Beyond the geopolitical value of the visit itself, Netanyahu can use Oman as an indirect communication channel to send messages to Tehran, as well as to the Palestinians. Those benefits, however, are mainly for the long term. Netanyahu is currently dealing with much more immediate problems, first and foremost keeping the conflict at the Gaza border under control.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 733)