For Israel, peace with Saudi Arabia is not worth a nuclear arms race in the Middle East – opinion

While Saudi Arabia's inclusion in the Abraham Accords could be a significant diplomatic achievement for Israel, the article argues that allowing Saudi Arabia to develop independent uranium enrichment capabilities is a price Israel should not pay. The author contends that uranium enrichment is not necessary for civilian nuclear power and could lead to the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia would do the same, raising concerns about a regional nuclear arms race. The article suggests that if Saudi Arabia receives US approval for enrichment, other countries like Turkey and Egypt might also seek similar capabilities, creating a dangerous domino effect. Israel's security policy, the author states, "cannot be based on the identity of the person currently occupying the palace in Riyadh." Instead, Israel should advocate for a model similar to the UAE's agreement: civilian nuclear reactors with strict international oversight, but no uranium enrichment or fuel reprocessing. The article concludes that preventing a nuclear arms race is an "existential necessity" for Israel, even if it means delaying normalization with Saudi Arabia.