BEIRUT (Dispatches) -- The Saudi-Iran deal is a dangerous development that strips Israel of its regional defensive wall against Iran, former prime minister Yair Lapid said.
“The agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran reflects the complete and dangerous failure” of the Israeli regime’s foreign policy, Lapid said as he used the moment to attack prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations on Friday after talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two Middle East powers.
Zionist politicians immediately expressed concern as the move appeared to throw a monkey wrench in one of Netanyahu’s new coalition’s chief policy initiatives — to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia.
The occupying regime of Israel has presumed that the necessity of creating a Persian Gulf alliance between the Zionist regime and its Arab partners against Iran, would help provide an incentive for the establishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and the occupying regime.
“Countries in the world and the region are watching Israel in turmoil over the dysfunctional regime that is engaged in systematic self-destruction,” Lapid said.
“This is what happens when one deals with legal insanity all day instead of doing one’s job against Iran and strengthening relations with the United States,” he added.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett called news of the renewed Iran-Saudi alliance a “serious and dangerous development for Israel” and a “political victory for Iran.”
“This delivers a fatal blow to efforts to build a regional coalition against Iran,” said Bennett.
He used the moment to attack Netanyahu charging the Iran-Saudi alliance reflected the “resounding failure” of the Netanyahu regime and stems from a combination of political neglect with Israel’s “general weakness and internal conflict”.
Bennett said Netanyahu’s coalition is “a resounding economic, political and security failure, and every day of its existence endangers” Israel.
Former war minister Benny Gantz commented on renewed diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, stating that it was a cause for concern and a development that cannot be ignored. Gantz criticized Netanyahu, stating that “the enormous security challenges” facing the Zionist regime are increasing and the Zionist prime minister and his cabinet “are busy with a coup d’état.”
Iran expert Danny (Dennis) Citrinowicz from the Institute of National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University tweeted that the new alliance was a message to the occupying regime of Israel that its dream of a regional alliance was not feasible and never had been.
It underscored the point that most of the countries in the region view dialogue as the best way to deal with Iran, leaving Israel as the sole belligerent side that is focused on a military option.
Analyst and former MK Ksenia Svetlova of the Mitvim, the Israeli Regional Institute for Foreign Policy noted on Twitter that “Saudi Arabia is normalizing relations. No, not with Israel but rather with

Iran” while it has rebuked Israel publicly for its treatment of the Palestinians.
“Only two months ago, Netanyahu promised to bring peace with Saudi Arabia. We seem to be moving in the opposite direction,” she wrote.
Various countries and world leaders, however, have welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that good neighborly relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are necessary for the stability of the Persian Gulf region.
Lead spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said the EU commends the diplomatic efforts that led to the resumption of diplomatic exchange between the two countries, which will contribute to stability in the region.
In Cairo, the Arab Parliament welcomed the joint tripartite statement issued by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China to resume Saudi-Iranian diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within a maximum period of two months.
Egypt too expressed appreciation for the important step taken by Saudi Arabia and Iran.
France said it supports dialogue and any initiative that can make a tangible contribution to calming tensions and strengthening regional security and stability.
Bahrain expressed hope that the agreement would constitute a positive step on the road to resolving differences and ending all regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic means, and establishing relations on the basis of mutual understanding, respect and good neighborliness.
Kuwait affirmed its support for the agreement, hoping that it would contribute to strengthening the pillars of security and stability in the region, and build trust and develop friendly relations between both countries in a way that serves the interest of the countries of the region and the whole world.
Tunisia expressed hope that the agreement will remove all causes of tension, and establish a new phase of cooperation between them.
Türkiye congratulated Iran Saudi Arabia, saying their agreement will significantly contribute to laying the foundations for security in the region.
Jordan and the UAE also welcomed the agreement. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed called it an “important step towards stability and prosperity” in the region.