Sudan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Haidar Badawi Sadiq today told Sky News in Arabic that Khartoum is conducting talks with Jerusalem, stating that Sudan “aspires toward a peace agreement with Israel … a relationship of equals built upon Khartoum’s interests.” Sadiq noted that both countries "will gain from a peace agreement," adding, "We look at an agreement of this kind through the interests of Sudan without sacrificing our values and principles." Sadiq also hailed the Israel-United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreement as “courageous.”

The Aug. 13 announcement on Israel and UAE normalizing relations generated a swirl of rumors, with the Israeli press busy guessing which Arab/Muslim country would be next in line for renewal or establishment of ties. Sudanese and Israeli officials hinted that both countries are viewing a similar rapprochement. On Aug. 16, Israel's Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said Bahrain and Oman could soon follow the UAE in recognizing the State of Israel, adding, "In my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them Sudan." The statement today by Khartoum pushes Sudan to the top of the rapprochement list.

Senior Israeli officials were quick to react to Sadiq’s statement. Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi tweeted, "The announcement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the fundamental change that is taking place in the Middle East in general, and in Sudan in particular, 53 years after the Khartoum Conference in which Sudan called for no recognition of the State of Israel." In a second tweet, Ashkenazi emphasized that "Israel’s diplomatic activity led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues to create further important opportunities such as the connections between Israel and Sudan."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also responded quickly, saying, “Israel, Sudan and the entire region will benefit from the peace agreement, and together they can build a better future for all the peoples of the region. We will do everything necessary to make this vision a reality.”