Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman says the Qatar crisis offers “opportunity for cooperation”  between Israel and Arab Gulf states.
– Qatar, a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran, is being isolated for destabilizing the mid-East and Africa.

By i24NEWS

Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday said that the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its Arab Gulf neighbors is an “opportunity for cooperation” between Israel and Arab Gulf states and could herald a broad anti-terror alliance.

Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman – Screenshot from Facebook video

“It is clear to everyone, even in the Arab countries, that the real danger to the entire region is terrorism,” said Lieberman.

The countries which include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain cut ties “not because of Israel, not because of the Jews, not because of Zionism,” but “rather from fears of terrorism.”

Saudi Arabia closes its Al Jazeera offices

He added that Israel was open to cooperation in a global coalition against terrorism, reported Israeli media.

Israel has long faced resistance to its efforts to improve ties with Arab nations in the region because of the longstanding conflict with the Palestinians.

It has, however, recently seen increased behind-the-scenes cooperation with some Arab countries, particularly in their opposition to Iran and in the fight against jihadists in the region.

“There is no doubt that this opens very many possibilities of cooperation in the struggle against terror,” Lieberman told the Israeli parliament in a televised question-and-answer session.

Repeating what he told Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia, President Trump tells the Palestinians a serious message in Bethlehem: ‘Glorifying terrorism must end.’ – Screenshot: White House:IsraelandStuff.

“We saw the United States president visit Saudi Arabia and he spoke first and foremost about a coalition against terror,” he said in a reference to Donald Trump’s trip last month.

“The state of Israel is really open to cooperation. The ball at the moment is with the other side,” he added.

Saudi Arabia said in a statement its measures were the result of “gross violations committed by authorities in Qatar”, accusing Doha of harboring “terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to destabilize the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Daesh (IS) and Al-Qaeda”.

Screenshot from REUTERS newsclip

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Yemen, Bahrain and the Maldives all severed diplomatic ties with Doha. Some also cut transport links.

Egypt said it will be suspending air links with Qatar from Tuesday.

The decision, announced on Monday by the aviation ministry, would take effect from 0400 GMT and continue “until further notice,” with Qatari planes being unable to cross Egyptian airspace or land on its territory.

Iran earlier said it would be willing to send food supplies to Qatar following a complete blockade that has sparked an economic crisis and food shortages in the region.

The tiny kingdom is facing what is potentially its worst diplomatic crisis.

(Staff with AFP)

This is a developing story.

View original i24NEWS publication at:
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/147100-170605-qatar-crisis-offers-opportunity-for-israeli-arab-gulf-cooperation-lieberman