Will Israel revive its relationship with Khartoum?
Recent statements by Sudanese senior officials indicate that the country might be interested in the same kind of relations Israel has with South Sudan – especially relating to arms deals.
With the so-called knife intifada exacting its toll of Jewish and Palestinian blood every few days, Israel is not happy with the voices currently emanating from Arab capitals. But suddenly, among the raucous condemnation of the injustice of Israel’s occupation, a melodious tone was heard from a Muslim capital. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir told the Saudi newspaper Al-Okaz March 14 that “even if Israel had conquered Syria, it would not have inflicted the destruction taking place there right now, would not have killed the number of people killed so far and would not have expelled people the way they are being expelled now.”
The comments by the Sudanese leader, who is wanted on suspicion of war crimes, were obviously directed first and foremost against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Over the past two years, Bashir has formed a new alliance with the Saudi-Sunni axis to replace his love affair with Shiite Iran, Assad’s patron. Nonetheless, it is not every day that Israel rates a positive mention from the leader of a state that dabbles in sending weapons to Hamas and other factions in the Gaza Strip.
