Arab nations quietly bridge the trade gulf with Israelis

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Arab nations quietly bridge the trade gulf with Israelis
Foriegn editor's briefing by Bronwen Maddox

April 07, 2006
ISRAEL’S relations with the Palestinians may be frozen, but in one of the subtler shifts in the region, its links with the Gulf Arab countries are warming up.
The gates won’t be thrown open between the two until there is some formal progress in Israeli-Palestinian relations, and that is now out of sight.


But in a region where most changes are potentially alarming, this one offers hope of greater openness, prosperity and forging of common links.

One Israeli official said: “We want normal relations with the Arab world, and the Gulf is a natural place to start. We have no quarrel with them.”

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-2122460,00.html