Archiv: Tzachi Hanegbi
In surprise delay, top Netanyahu aide says hostage release ‘not before Friday’
National Security Council chairman Tzachi Hanegbi circulated a statement that said the negotiations for the hostages “are constantly progressing” and “the release will begin according to the original agreement between the parties, and not before Friday.”
An Israeli source also said the four-day lull in fighting, per the deal, would be on hold and that Israeli military operations in Gaza would continue as long as the agreement is not finalized, Haaretz reported.
Hanegbi sits with protesters in front of his home who urge him to obey High Court
The Tuesday night protest in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevaseret Zion was made up largely of former defense officials, including senior members of the National Security Council, which Hanegbi now leads.
While protests outside the homes of lawmakers have become the norm over the past year, the decision to target Hanegbi, who is no longer a politician appeared relatively rare — as was his willingness to sit with those demonstrating against him.
U.S. special envoy in Israel to talk Hezbollah tensions, Saudi Arabia with PM Netanyahu
His visit came days after U.S. President Joe Biden said that U.S. officials have been negotiating with their Saudi counterparts to broker a normalization agreement between Riyadh and Jerusalem. But he noted that Israel and Saudi Arabia were still a „long way“ from a normalization agreement, which would include a defense agreement with Washington and help to set up a civilian nuclear program.
Top Israeli official says ‘in a fog’ on U.S.-Saudi normalization talks
(today / May 30, 2023)
„I say this to be as clear as I can within the framework of the fog that exists for us, too,“ Hanegbi said. „We are not really aware, right now, of what is happening in the Saudi-American corridors.“
The Israeli official suggested that any new U.S. weapons to Riyadh would have to comply with Washington’s commitment to preserving an Israeli “qualitative military edge” in the region, and predicted that any Saudi civilian nuclear program would first have to clear U.S. counter-proliferation regulations.
Mr. @POTUS, Mr. @SecBlinken this week @netanyahu sending to Washington Tzachi Hanegbi – Head of the NSC and Ron Dermer – Minister of Strategic Affairs of Israel. SAME Dermer who organized Bibi‘s speech in Congress behind President Obama‘s back!
(28.03.2023)
Yossi Cohen, a former head of the Mossad, said normalization with Saudi Arabia “is definitely possible”
Saudi Arabia is reportedly demanding that the White House unfreeze some weapons deals from the Trump administration that were put on hold when US President Joe Biden took office.
Saudi Arabia is also reportedly seeking a defense treaty with the US, akin to NATO, and US approval for a civilian nuclear program in exchange for full normalization with Israel.
Dermer, Hanegbi to travel to DC for talks on Iran, Saudi-Israel peace
(May 25, 2023)
Addressing reports that Iran is building a nuclear facility deep enough underground to withstand U.S. “bunker buster” bombs, Hanegbi said at Herzliya Conference 2023 at Reichman University on Tuesday:
“It’s not a surprising thing. It’s the Iranian approach to move facilities underground to maintain their immunity. This of course limits the ability to attack, but what can be said is that there is no place that cannot be reached.”
Report: Saudis want US alliance, nuclear program in exchange for deal with Israel
(23 May 2023)
The report says that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan are leading the negotiations for the US and the head of the Mossad chief David Barnea is representing Israel in “intensive” talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Israeli officials set to discuss Iran and Saudi Arabia with US national security advisor: Report
Despite the tensions, Israel remains the US’s closest Middle East ally. The country receives around $3.8bn a year in military aid from Washington. Earlier this month, Axios reported that the US had asked Israel to engage in „unprecedented“ joint military planning against Iran.