Israel will join the US-led mission to secure shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, a move likely to provoke Iranian outrage.
The revelation was disclosed yesterday by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Yisrael Katz, during a session of the Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, the vast majority of which was held behind closed doors.
#Israel involved in #US-led naval mission in #StraitofHormuz — foreign minister | The Times of Israel https://t.co/DEOaG3btbN
— INTEL Junkie (@TheINTELJunkie) August 6, 2019
The “rare meeting” was held with the Knesset in recess ahead of Israel’s general election, which is slated for September 17.
Katz told the committee that he had instructed Israel’s Foreign Ministry to work to include Tel Aviv in the US-led mission after a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Read this article on i24NEWS:
Israel said to be participating in US-led naval mission in Strait of Hormuz
https://t.co/ghJaavgjUl— LIONinRiver (@LIONinRiver) August 6, 2019
There Katz met with Emirati officials to discuss developing ties between Israel and the UAE in technology, energy, agriculture and water management, as well as “the need to deal with the threat of a nuclear Iran”.
It was against this backdrop that the foreign minister claimed to have discussed Israel’s joining of the operation with an unnamed senior Emirati official.
More amazing signs of normalization of relations between the larger Sunni world and Israel. This is a first. US led coalition that includes both Arab gulf states and Israel. https://t.co/Tk7GkAtD1H
— Edward M (@SHomer_Israel) August 6, 2019
It is not yet clear whether Israel will send naval vessels to take part in the US-led mission – dubbed “Operation Sentinel” – or whether it will assist by providing intelligence, as suggested by a report from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan last month.
(Middle East Monitor, PC, Social Media)
