Report: Netanyahu says Israel ‘forming alliances with Arab countries that are talking about fighting together on our side’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers at a cabinet meeting today that Israel is “forming alliances with Arab countries that are talking about fighting together on our side,” the Hebrew-language Maariv daily reports.

“In the past, I had secret conversations with Arab leaders,” Netanyahu reportedly said. “I told them, ‘As soon as Iran can, it will conquer you and overthrow your kingdoms.’ Back then, they didn’t really internalize things. Today they understand.”

Yesterday, Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter said on a podcast that Gulf countries are asking Israel for help.

“Some of our allies have become even greater allies over the past month,” he told the “What the Hell is Going On” podcast. “Whether it’s UAE, Bahrain, I think we’ve become closer to the Saudis, closer to the Omanis. Closer to the Kuwaitis for crying out loud. They’ve asked us for assistance.”

He also hinted at joint action with Arab countries: “Israel and her allies will continue to act. This could really make the difference going into the future.”