Oman's Shura Council Refers Proposal to Tighten Israel’s Boycott to Legislative and Legal Committee

A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
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Oman's Shura Council Refers Proposal to Tighten Israel’s Boycott to Legislative and Legal Committee

A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)
A partial view of the seaside corniche in the Omani capital Muscat. (AFP)

Oman’s Shura Council agreed on Monday to refer a proposal to broaden the scope of the boycott of Israel to the Legislative and Legal Committee to express an opinion before discussing the proposal and approving or rejecting it.

Article 1 of the Israel Provincial Law issued by Royal Decree No. 72/9 bans any direct or by proxy agreement with authorities or individuals residing in Israel or holding Israeli nationality or working for its interest wherever they reside.

The proposal rules that the first clause of the law would be amended in a way that broadens the scope of the boycott.

The seven MPs who submitted the proposal demanded additional amendments that include severing any economic, sports, or cultural contact and banning any virtual or real meeting with Israel.

Ties between Israel and Oman were formed in 1992 following the 1991 Madrid Conference. Both countries further inaugurated offices following the Oslo Accords.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin visited Muscat in 1994 followed by former Prime Minister of Israel Shimon Peres in 1995.

The Omani foreign minister visited Israel during the same year.

However, diplomatic ties were severed after the second intifada. Then on October 26, 2018, the PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman at the invitation of late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. This was the first official meeting on this level since 1996.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed last year that Oman will not normalize ties with Israel before the two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is implemented.



Saudi FM Meets with US Secretary of State, US National Security Advisor

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Meets with US Secretary of State, US National Security Advisor

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Wednesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday. 

The two ministers reviewed the strategic relations between the two friendly countries and opportunities to strengthen and develop them in various fields. 

They discussed ways to intensify coordination and joint action on regional and international issues of concern to both countries, including developments in Gaza Strip, Sudan, and Yemen, as well as the Russia-Ukraine crisis. They exchanged views on these issues and efforts being made to achieve international peace and security. 

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan and several officials. 

The Saudi Minsiter has also met with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz at the White House in Washington, D.C. 

The two officials reviewed the strategic bilateral ties between their countries and explored prospects for promoting cooperation. They also addressed a number of issues and topics of mutual interest. 

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States and Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan.