Israel alarmed by Saudi-Egypt bridge project on southern flank

In a move to build economic and political ties between the two Arab allies, Egypt and Saudi Arabia revived a 2005 plan to build a bridge linking the Sinai and Arabian Peninsulas that Israel previously objected to, hinting it could be a “direct cause of war.”

The basis for Israel’s objection is the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, which stipulates that both parties must respect each other’s right to navigation and overflight for access to either country through the Strait of Tiran and the Gulf of Aqaba.

A bridge located over the Gulf of Aqaba would pose a strategic threat to Israel and put Israeli ports at risk, Israeli commentators have said.

For Israel, the construction of the bridge would violate the agreement by obstructing maritime traffic and by what it sees as the inevitable introduction of Egyptian and Saudi security forces in the demilitarised zone.

"The bridge is primarily based on the island Tiran, which Saudi Arabia gave to Egypt in 1949 to set up security base in the face of Israeli threat," a source told The New Arab.
Talks of implementing the plan had taken off in 2005 under President Housni Mubarak but were swiftly shelved for unclear causes.

For Israel, the construction of the bridge would violate the agreement by obstructing maritime traffic and by what it sees as the inevitable introduction of Egyptian and Saudi security forces in the demilitarised zone.

When news of talks between the Saudi and Egyptian governments surfaced at the time, Mubarak called them “baseless rumours.” In an interview with al-Masa Egyptian daily, he argued that such plans would affect tourism in the cities of south Sinai, especially Sharm al-Sheikh, turning a popular tourist hub into an overcrowded route and potential security nightmare.

Despite the fact that there is concern over the effects of this infrastructure project on the marine environment and coral reefs in the Red Sea, observers believe that tourist traffic would increase overall as well as facilitate travel for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Israeli press today sees King Salman's state visit as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to draw Cairo closer

Allies against Iran

The Israeli press today sees King Salman's state visit as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to draw Cairo closer as a major player in the Saudi alliance against Iran in a conflict that is currently being fought on two fronts in Syria and Yemen.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Dr. Yoram Meital, an expert on Egypt at Ben Gurion University, said that Israel would have no real reason to oppose the plan due to the changing situation in the region and the tightening relations between Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

The 80-year-old Saudi monarch's visit to Egypt has been seen as a clear show of support for President Sisi, despite reports in recent months about strains due to Egypt’s unwillingness to participate fully in military operations in Yemen against Shia rebels.

The bridge will span between seven to ten kilometres (about four to six miles) and will cross the Red Sea just south of the Straits of Tiran. Although no timeline or cost estimates were given, earlier estimates suggest the bridge would cose $3-4 billion.

The other reason the project was postponed was the delay in demarcating the maritime border between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which was resolved on Friday.

The two nations also agreed to set up a Saudi-Egyptian investment fund with a capital of $16 billion.