Oman Balances Ties With Israel, Prioritizing Palestinian Statehood

Oman maintains a complex relationship with Israel, characterized by a willingness to engage while stopping short of full diplomatic normalization. This policy, described by academics as a "middleman state" strategy, involves supporting Palestinian rights, keeping communication channels open with Israel, and positioning itself as a neutral mediator. Oman officially backs a two-state solution, a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and opposes settlements and annexation, emphasizing international law. The country has condemned Israeli statements perceived as undermining Palestinian rights and regional stability, reiterating its support for a Palestinian state.

Historically, Oman and Israel have had various levels of contact, including public and private exchanges, particularly after the 1993 Oslo Accords. During the 1990s, Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres visited Oman, and Israel operated a trade office in Muscat. These ties were curtailed after the Second Intifada in 2000, though informal channels persisted. A significant public visit by then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018 did not lead to diplomatic relations, with Oman reportedly ensuring Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also visited to signal that engagement was in service of peace efforts.

Oman did not join the 2020 Abraham Accords, with analysts suggesting the potential costs, such as damaging its mediator image and relations with Iran, outweighed the benefits. While not opposing the accords in principle, Oman stressed they must lead to an end of the "occupation" and the establishment of a Palestinian state. This stance reflects a long-standing position where Palestinian statehood is a prerequisite for formal recognition of Israel.

Despite a 2023 vote by Oman's Shura Council to expand a law prohibiting relations with Israel to include economic, cultural, and even personal interactions, this is seen as a reflection of public sentiment and a signal to Israel rather than a definitive foreign policy directive. The ultimate authority on foreign affairs rests with the Sultan and the government, who use such votes to balance internal public pressure with external relations.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has further solidified Oman's pro-Palestinian stance, deepening its existing position rather than creating a new one. The longer the conflict continues and the more Israel is associated with annexation or harm to Palestinians, the less incentive Oman has for normalization. For Israel, Oman is viewed not as a target for immediate normalization but as a potential conduit for regional dialogue, particularly with actors like Iran, though any full engagement is contingent on tangible progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.