What’s Motivating Bin Salman’s $2 Billion Investment in Israeli Economy?

This is the first time this Saudi investment fund directly invests in the Israeli regime, according to the media, showing a growing Saudi will to interact economically with Tel Aviv despite absence of direct diplomatic relations between the two sides. Some observers read these investments as a sign of Saudi-Israeli normalization. 

According to the Israelis, this step would prompt Saudi-Israeli relations, at least in the economic field. The plan is an outcome of ongoing talks between Kushner and Saudi officials, and an agreement has been reached that Saudi Arabia could invest in the Israel economy. Experts believe that this investment will allow Saudi Arabia to invest in Israeli companies, hence, opening its economy to Israeli partnership. 

For long years, the Israelis have been taking steps in favor of the Israeli interests, instead of backing the Palestinian rights and struggle for freedom. Their security cooperation in Yemen war were disclosed in past years. Last year, first Saudi plane landed in Tel Aviv. Actually, all their relations are secretly established and only publicization is remaining. 

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia and the Israeli regime are on a united front to counter Iran's regional influence and seek to form an Israeli-Arab coalition against the alleged threats from Tehran. Therefore, billion-dollar investments and security cooperation are effective steps for establishing diplomatic relations, which will most likely be made public in the near future. 

Jared Kouchner played an important role in the implementation of the Ibrahim Agreement (normalization of Arab relations with Israel). Trump and Kouchner worked hard to get Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Tel Aviv, and Trump has repeatedly stated in recent months that Riyadh will make public relations soon, but did not allow the Democrats to take office.

On the other hand, Bin Salman's plan to build his $500 billion city-state called Neom needs foreign investment. He hopes the Israelis will play an important role in the megaproject's development with potential investments in biotechnology and cybersecurity. 

Bin Salman gambling for Trump return 

Clear enough, Saudi Arabia and bin Salman himself have close ties to Trump and his family, and under his presidency, the Saudis were granted a leeway for their crimes in the region. It was under his presidency that bin Salman assassinated horrifically his outspoken critic Jamal Khashoggi. Despite an international outcry, Trump stood by the Saudi prince and firmly supported him. 

The Saudis have always had better relations with Republicans in the White House than Democrats, and so, Bin Salman welcomes Trump's return to the White House and, according to a recent report by the Guardian, he is gambling by investments for Trump return. The fact that the Saudis are giving $2 billion to Trump's son-in-law shows how vital Trump's return is to Saudi Arabia.

According to reports, the Saudis have given more than $250,000 in precious gifts to the Trump family, indicating the warm relationship between the two families. It is worth mentioning that Trump and Kushner played a crucial role in Prince Mohammed assuming crown prince post, and in a way, bin Salman is a Trump- made crown prince, and if Trump returns to power and paves the way for bin Salman to ascend the throne in Saudi Arabia, he will be undisputed ruler of the wealthy kingdom, and with the US political support, he will continue his destructive policies without fear of being punished for the human rights violations that the Democrats use to maneuver against him. 

Picking audi Arabia as President Trump's first foreign destination in June 2017 was a good indication that Trump, also a businessman, is taking advantage of countries like Saudi Arabia to strengthen his economic position. Trump has repeatedly extorted millions of dollars from the Saudis, claiming that Saudi Arabia is a "milk cow" and has to pay for Washington's military support for Riyadh, and that the ransom will increase if he returns to power. 

Under Trump, Saudi Arabia signed $400 billion in military and economic agreements with the US, and relations between the two countries became much broader, and Trump's return to power will further strengthen these relations. If the Republicans win a majority in the midterm congressional elections, the Saudi hand will be more open to run rampant in the region. 

Since Trump is Iran's top enemy in the region and a close friend of Saudi Arabia, the Saudis are looking forward to see him return to power to help check Iran's influence in the region. That it is said the Saudis do not answer Biden's phone call demonstrates the scale of tensions with the US under the Democratic dominance. 

Winning support of Zionist lobby 

The multi-billion Saudi grants have another aim. The Saudi rulers are aware of the pro-Israeli lobbies' power in the American politics. They try to flow investments to the occupied territories in exchange for help from such lobbies as AIPAC to influence the US policy. 

The Zionist lobby, enjoying political and economic power, plays an important role in American politics, and all American presidents have always tried to have the support of this lobby behind them. Although the Saudis have invested $700 billion in US banks and the economy, they have no influence in the country's political structures and therefore want to increase their influence by appeasement to the Zionist lobby. 

In the president conditions, therefore, the opportunity is ripe for Riyadh and Tel Aviv to publicize their relationship and the only remaining issue is Trump's return to the White House, to which the Saudis are looking forward.