Oman has been one of the Gulf’s harshest critics of the Gaza conflict, with the undersecretary for diplomatic affairs calling Israeli attacks “barbaric”.
Oman has again reiterated its rejection of any prospect of normalising relations with Israel, as a senior member of the government slammed the “genocidal war” on Gaza.
Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al-Harthy told Russian media that Muscat categorically rejects any prospect of a deal with Israel, similar to pacts signed by neighbours the UAE and Bahrain in recent years.
“The most important thing right now is not whether there will be normalisation or not, but how to achieve a solution to the Palestinian issue and ensure Palestinians’ rights,” said Al-Harthy.
He also blamed tensions in the region on the “genocidal war waged by Israel against the Palestinians”, describing the assault on Gaza – which has cost over 41,000 Palestinian lives – as “barbaric”. “We demand an immediate ceasefire,” he told Sputnik.
Out of Gulf countries, Oman has been one of the strongest opponents of the war on Gaza and repeatedly called for a ceasefire, wary that the conflict in the Palestinian enclave has the potential to engulf the region.
Tit-for-tat clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have threatened a wider war in Lebanon, while Tehran-linked groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also been targeted.
Over the weekend, the Houthis fired a missile at Tel Aviv, with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning the Yemeni rebels they will pay a “heavy price” for the attempted strike.
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Like Oman, Saudi Arabia has similarly ruled out normalisation with Israel until movement on an independent Palestinian state is achieved, a prospect both Netanyahu’s government and the opposition have categorically ruled out.
Oman has been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause over the decades but has at times taken a more independent line on regional issues than its neighbours.
In 2018, Oman shocked the world when Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the sultanate to meet former ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said, but Muscat did not join the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan in agreeing the so-called Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Omanis remain hostile to any prospect of normalisation, something witnessed last week when the national beach football team refused to take part in a tournament in Italy due to the participation of Israel.
