News: August 8

Arab states reluctant to express opposition to Iran deal

An analyst says Arab states oppose the deal but do now want to show their alignment with Israel. Not so sure about this. it’s been pretty clear for years that Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the same page in regard to Iran. Saudi Arabia is thought to be prepared to allow Israeli jets to use Saudi airspace on their way to bombing Iranian targets. How would the jets return? Refuel over Saudi Arabia? Land there and refuel? The Saudis et al may be worried that irritating Washington could lead to the US shifting too close to Iran.

It’ll be interesting to see how Arab publics respond to cooperation between their governments and Israel. It could pose a problem one day.

Former Shin Bet leader warns his country

Yuval Diskin sees right-wing extremists as dangers to the country. He and several other former Shin Bet leaders appear in the documentary The Gatekeepers and warn that if any prime minister tries to establish a Palestinian state, he or she will be in danger from settler extremists.