Saudi Arabia frowns upon Jordan-Israel energy deal brokered by UAE
The Saudi Arabian government is putting heavy pressure on
the United Arab Emirates to cancel the solar power for water deal signed by
Israel and Jordan in Dubai, Israeli media reported Wednesday.
The initiative will see a solar plant constructed in Jordan,
with assistance from the UAE, as well as a desalination plant in Israel.
Israeli officials stated that when Saudis saw the
publication, they were surprised as the UAE and Jordan did not update them in
advance on the matter, according to Walla.
Last weekend, senior Saudi government officials reportedly
called their counterparts in Abu Dhabi and demanded clarification, also urging
the Emirates to withdraw from the agreement. They offered an alternative deal
in which Saudi Arabia will replace Israel in the project, Walla news reported.
The officials stated the UAE did not like the pressure,
updating those involved in the deal on what happened.
The Emirates did not want to cancel the agreement but sought
to soften the wording to appear less binding. Israeli officials told Walla
Israel did not object because the changes did not change the agreement.
Israel's Energy Minister Karin Elharrar declined to comment
when asked by Walla, but did not deny it. UAE officials also declined to
comment.
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