Skip to main content

Coronavirus offers Israel opportunity to strengthen ties with Gulf states

Despite recent condemnation by Gulf states of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to annex parts of the West Bank this summer, there are signs that Israeli-Gulf ties might benefit from shared concern over COVID-19.
Medical workers wait for mock victims to arrive by ambulance to Chaim Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv during a drill simulating a biological attack January 13, 2010. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen (ISRAEL - Tags: HEALTH) - GM1E61D1ME901

The Israeli press reported May 11 that Bahrain and another unnamed Gulf state recently reached out to Israel for assistance in fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic. The countries reportedly contacted Sheba Hospital, requesting information on its response to the pandemic. Specifically, it seems that both countries are interested in installing an advanced telemedicine system.

Earlier on May 5, Barak Ravid of Channel 13 reported that the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, said during a Zoom webinar that her country won’t oppose cooperating with Israel in countering the coronavirus crisis. "I’m sure there is a lot of scope for cooperation. I don’t think we would be opposed to it, because I really think the public health space should be an unpoliticized space where we all try and pool our knowledge of this virus,” said Nusseibeh, speaking at the online conference hosted by the American Jewish Committee.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.