Israel drafts plan to connect seaports with Saudi Arabia, UAE

JERUSALEM

Israel seeks to build a land route connecting the country with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry presented a plan to the United States to connect Israel’s seaports with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan through a land bridge, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.

“The route will facilitate transportation of goods while significantly reducing costs for the entire region,” the daily said.

Israel believes that the land route between the four countries will save up to 20% of shipping costs.

"The idea is to enable the arrival of a single truck and driver from Dubai to the port of Haifa, for example, without changing drivers and trucks at border crossings between countries," the plan says.

According to the newspaper, the route will be based on existing roads, but will require upgrading some of the routes and constructing certain sections.

The plan eyes to include Bahrain and Oman in the suggested land bridge at a later stage.

Israel has diplomatic relations with the UAE since 2020 after signing a US-sponsored agreement to normalize their ties. Tel Aviv has established diplomatic relations with Jordan in 1994.

Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar