Why are Gulf nations cosying up to Israel?

Interview with Rabbi Marc Schneier
CNN’s Connect the World with Becky Anderson
February 3, 2019

American Rabbi Marc Schneier, who wants to improve Jewish ties with the Arab nations, says there’s a transformation process underway that could reshape the region.

Below is the transcript of the interview:

ANDERSON: A push for tolerance that my next guest has made his mission here in the Gulf. The UAE, which is home to a small Jewish community, Rabbi Marc Schneier joins me now. He is the head of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, an organization that promotes Jewish-Islamic ties.

His big focus is on working to establish and improve Israel’s diplomatic ties with regional powers.

It is a pleasure having you on, sir. Thank you for being here at what is an extraordinary time for this country and this region. You have your fair share of controversies and criticism in the U.S. But you say you are welcomed here with open arms in the Gulf.

Why is it you are the man for what is a rather large job?

MARC SCHNEIER, RABBI: Well, 15 years ago I pioneered the field of Muslim- Jewish relations globally. It was about 12 years ago that I entered the region through the king of Saudi Arabia, through King Abdullah, who introduced me to the king of Bahrain.

There is a whole transformation that is now taking place in this region in terms of a commitment to interreligious and interfaith dialogue. We are living in some extraordinary times.

ANDERSON: Describe for me very briefly what your observations are of this country and this region of the Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula.

SCHNEIER: My observations from an interfaith point of view that the process has begun in terms of reaching the Promised Land of greater understanding, cooperation, coexistence among faith communities. And you see this now taking place throughout the region today.

ANDERSON: It’s no secret that ties between Israel and certain Arab states are warming.

ANDERSON: Just months ago Benjamin Netanyahu was welcomed into the Gulf State of Oman, the very first visit by an Israeli leader in more than 20 years.

On his return, he told his cabinet colleagues, there will be much more visits — there will be more visits. I’m not sure my grammar was particularly good there.

Is Iran the driving force behind this rapprochement as we might describe it?

SCHNEIER: I believe there are three critical reasons for this rapprochement. First, there is the concern, the threat from Iran. It’s a common enemy that the Gulf and Israel share. Number two, there is an economic transformation that is taking place in the Gulf, particularly because of the diminishing demand for oil. And many Gulf leaders see Israel as that ultimate economic partner, Israel being the start of nation.

And then finally I believe the Gulf nations want to strengthen their relations with the United States, particularly with the Trump administration. And they see Israel as the conduit not only to the Trump administration but also to winning over the United States.

ANDERSON: And of course, the man embedded within that relationship between Israel, the U.S. and the Gulf is Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the U.S. president, who has a plan — we have yet to see the details of that plan — for Middle East peace.

What role — until we see that, we have absolutely no idea of what this plan is.

What role do you believe the Gulf can play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the process, should there be one, again, for peace?

SCHNEIER: I believe the role the Gulf can play is one of economics in terms of bringing economic dimension and economic hope and prosperity, particularly to the Palestinians.

If I was to contrast the Saudi peace initiative, the Arab peace initiative in 2002 and the current peace initiative, in 2002, was Israel, Palestinians, here is the plan; work it out and then call us.

Today there is a recognition among Gulf leaders that they need some skin in the game. They need to be a part of that process and I believe that, only with the participation of the Gulf, that you will then see the ultimate reconciliation resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

ANDERSON: I will leave that conversation. We could talk about this for hours. I want to get moved on.

The UAE is actually home to a small Jewish community in Dubai. You say there are also communities in Bahrain, Qatar. This will surprise our viewers, I’m absolutely sure, and you think this year will be a big one, telling “The Jerusalem Post” a couple of weeks ago, in 2019, we will see the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and one or two Gulf states. I think there are many horses in the race. I predict Bahrain will be first and another dark horse is Qatar.

What is this based on? Is this based on what you are hearing in these countries? And will Bahrain be first?

SCHNEIER: If there is any country that deserves to be first it would be Bahrain. The king of Bahrain, since I first met him in the palace in 2011, has consistently and publicly demonstrated his support and wanting diplomatic relations with Israel.

It was the king of Bahrain who said to me in 2016, which was a public statement, that, for a strong moderate Arab voice in the Gulf, we need a strong Israel.

ANDERSON: You talk of imminent openness. We reached out to Bahrain and they were quote “reticent” to confirm your outreach.

Is there still nervousness about broaching this topic in public?

SCHNEIER: Of course, there is nervousness. It is a process. Now the good news is that the journey has begun. And that is a part of the process.

There have been so many benchmarks along the way.

If the irony that among the six Gulf States the one gulf state that Israel today is working with publicly and openly is Qatar. Look at the relationship now with Israel and Qatar, the partnership in Gaza. Qatar is in Gaza, not with the blessing of the Israelis but at the request of the Israelis. That is why I have labeled Qatar the dark horse in the race.

ANDERSON: Fascinating. The UAE’s Jewish community has just been officially recognized —

SCHNEIER: Today.

ANDERSON: — as I understand it. Just explain.

SCHNEIER: There is a book in celebration of the Year of Tolerance called “Celebrating Tolerance: Religious life in the UAE.” The first time that the Jewish community has been recognized as a faith community in print and the minister of tolerance actually wrote the foreword to this book.

Today was the celebration of the publication of the book, affirming the insistence of the Jewish community of Dubai.

ANDERSON: How big is that community?

And when will we see —

SCHNEIER: It’s only a matter of time.

ANDERSON: Thank you, sir.

SCHNEIER: My pleasure.

ANDERSON: Rabbi Marc Schneier, head of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, thank you very much for joining us.

Live from Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD. Coming up, the Brexit latest is that the government in the U.K. scrambles for, quote, “alternative arrangements” to the Irish backstop. Her Majesty’s officials make their own to evacuate her from the capital in case of a no deal. That is next.