Israel erupts over reported US-Saudi nuclear deal …
Israel’s opposition leaders have sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for remaining silent over reports of a proposed civil nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The reported deal has sparked concerns among Israeli politicians, who argue it could have significant security implications for the Middle East.
According to Israeli media, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman described the proposed agreement as a strategic threat to Israel. He argued that civil nuclear programs can eventually pave the way for military nuclear capabilities, pointing to Iran as an example. Lieberman warned that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own territory would cross a major security red line and could encourage a regional nuclear arms race.
Lieberman also expressed concern that nuclear facilities in Saudi Arabia could become potential targets in any future conflict involving Iran. He urged the Israeli government to actively oppose the agreement and lobby members of the US Congress to reject it, even if doing so creates disagreements with US President Donald Trump.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak also questioned the reported agreement, noting that it reportedly does not require Saudi Arabia to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. According to Barak, the absence of such a condition could indicate reduced trust between Netanyahu and the US administration.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Yair Golan blamed Netanyahu’s policies for creating conditions that made such an agreement possible. He argued that if Saudi Arabia secures a favorable nuclear cooperation deal, other countries in the Middle East may seek similar agreements with Washington, potentially reshaping the region’s strategic balance.
Reports in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz suggest that Israeli officials are particularly concerned about the possibility of Saudi Arabia being allowed to enrich uranium domestically. One Israeli source reportedly said such a provision would not be viewed positively in Israel, even if it were accompanied by future normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The debate follows reports published by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed that President Donald Trump has approved a framework for a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. According to the report, the proposed agreement could run for 30 years and involve investments worth several billion dollars. It would reportedly provide Saudi Arabia with access to civilian nuclear technology for energy production, while discussions continue over whether uranium enrichment would be permitted under the deal.
Although negotiations over US-Saudi nuclear cooperation have continued for years, the reported agreement remains closely watched because of its potential impact on regional security, energy cooperation, and future diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
