The Trump administration has backed an Israeli plan to link Israel with Jordan Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states hinting that it was in line with the US controversial“deal of the century”.
According to the Jerusalem Post daily US Special Envoy Jason Greenblatt tweeted his support for the rail line as Israeli Minister of Transportation and Intelligence Israel Katz made a contentious visit to Oman to present its details to an international transportation event the IRU World Congress.
“Today Transportation & Intelligence Minister @Israel_Katz is in Oman at an [international] transportation event” Greenblatt tweeted. “He will present a plan for the construction of a railway [between] Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia & the Gulf. Let’s keep the dialogue going. These efforts support our efforts.”
Katz is expected to address the congress and participate in its panels a first for an Israeli minister in Oman – a Muslim Gulf country that has no ties with Israel. The minister’s office tweeted that this was “the first time the United States has publicly supported the plan”.
“The invitation of the Government of Oman and the visit are part of a comprehensive move to promote the initiative and strengthen the ties with the pragmatic states in the region” the minister’s office said.
As he left for Oman on Sunday Katz added: “This is a historic visit that will strengthen relations.” He noted that the rail line which will connect Israel with the Gulf countries will bypass Iran.
Last month Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi publicly called for normalized relations with Israel. In October Netanyahu traveled to Oman and met with its leader Sultan Sayyid Qaboos bin Said Al Said.
Greenblatt was in Israel to speak with Israeli officials in wake of the unveiling of the US anti-Palestine deal this winter. On Sunday night he met with Netanyahu and later tweeted that they had “discussed important topics including the situation in Gaza and regional developments.”
