عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Israel Appoints Heifetz as Special Envoy for the Gulf

Zvi Heifetz (R) gives an exclusive interview to Xinhuanet in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 23, 2017. (Xinhuanet/He Xianfeng)
Zvi Heifetz (R) gives an exclusive interview to Xinhuanet in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 23, 2017. (Xinhuanet/He Xianfeng)
TT
TT

Israel Appoints Heifetz as Special Envoy for the Gulf

Zvi Heifetz (R) gives an exclusive interview to Xinhuanet in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 23, 2017. (Xinhuanet/He Xianfeng)
Zvi Heifetz (R) gives an exclusive interview to Xinhuanet in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 23, 2017. (Xinhuanet/He Xianfeng)

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi decided to appoint the diplomat and businessman, Zvi Heifetz, as a special envoy to the Gulf States.

Heifetz would be in charge with establishing two embassies in Abu Dhabi and Manama and a consulate in Dubai, and for advancing relations with other Gulf countries.

Heifetz, 64, is considered one of the most prominent Israeli diplomats working abroad. Born in Siberia, Russia, he is an international lawyer, a businessman, and a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He started his diplomatic career as Israeli ambassador to Britain (2004 - 2007), then assumed the post of ambassador to Austria and to several international organizations.

In 2015, Heifetz was appointed ambassador to Moscow. He is considered the architect of the strategic Israeli-Russian cooperation currently taking place in Syria. Since January 2017, he has been serving as Israel’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia.

Heifetz was selected as the special envoy to the Gulf states, “for being a high-ranking diplomat and a successful economist with great experience in careful management and leadership,” according to Ashkenazi.

His first mission in both the UAE and Bahrain will be to establish the Israeli embassies in Abu Dhabi and Manama and the consulate in Dubai, and then expand relations to other Gulf countries.

Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen had announced that he expected an imminent peace agreement to be signed with three Gulf countries.

In an interview with Yediot Aharonot, he said that the rapprochement between Qatar and the Gulf states would increase the opportunities for normalization with Israel.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

GCC Hails Kuwait on Arrest of Hezbollah Cell

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
TT
TT

GCC Hails Kuwait on Arrest of Hezbollah Cell

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised on Tuesday security authorities in Kuwait on their arrest of a “terrorist cell affiliated with Hezbollah.”

In a statement, he condemned its plans to target Kuwait’s security and stability.

“This security achievement reflects the high level of vigilance and efficiency of Kuwaiti authorities and their ability to deal decisively and proactively with terrorist threats” to protect lives and maintain security, he added.

He stressed the GCC’s “firm and unwavering rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism, underscoring the full support of the GCC member states for all measures taken by Kuwait to maintain its security and stability, safeguard its sovereignty, and confront anyone who may seek to undermine its security or threaten the safety of its citizens and residents.”

“GCC member states will remain united in confronting terrorism, continuing to strengthen the collective security system and consolidate stability in the region, in a manner that serves the interests of their peoples and preserves their achievements,” he added.

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry had on Monday announced the arrest of 14 Kuwaiti and Lebanese people for belonging to a Hezbollah terrorist cell that was plotting to destabilize the country and recruit new members.

A ministry spokesman said they plotted to undermine state sovereignty and stir instability in order to stoke chaos and harm public order.

They were arrested in possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as weapons used for assassinations. They also possessed drones, drugs, maps, money and arms used for training.

The detainees were referred to the Public Prosecution.

Gulf

Qatar, Jordan Condemn Iran’s Attacks on the Region, Urge De-Escalation

This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
TT
TT

Qatar, Jordan Condemn Iran’s Attacks on the Region, Urge De-Escalation

This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)
This handout picture released by Qatar's Amiri Diwan on March 17, 2026, shows Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (R) meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, at the Diwan in Doha. (Qatar Amiri Diwan / AFP)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned on Tuesday Iran’s attacks in the region, urging an immediate cessation of all military actions.

Sheikh Tamim welcomed the monarch in Doha for talks on regional developments and Iran’s blatant attacks against Qatar, Jordan and other countries in the region, reported Qatar’s state news agency QNA.

Sheikh Tamim stressed Qatar’s solidarity with Jordan, saying it supports all measures it takes to defend its sovereignty and security and to ensure the safety of its citizens. For his part, King Abdullah reiterated his country's solidarity and full support for all measures taken by Qatar to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.

They underscored the importance of intensifying regional and international efforts to de-escalate and contain the ongoing tensions, and to work through diplomatic channels and dialogue to address crises in a way that helps prevent further deterioration in the region and boosts prospects for security and stability.

They discussed a host of regional and international issues of mutual concern, stressing the importance of continuing coordination and consultation between their two countries, especially in light of current developments and their implications for the region's security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi, Algerian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
TT
TT

Saudi, Algerian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AP file)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Tuesday a telephone call from his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf.

They discussed the latest regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address them.