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

An opinion piece argues that Israel should not accept Saudi Arabia's uranium enrichment capability as part of a normalization agreement, warning of a regional nuclear arms race. The author cites the lack of IAEA Additional Protocol, the precedent of the UAE's renunciation, and the potential domino effect on Turkey and Egypt, urging Israel to adopt the UAE model instead.

In this opinion piece, David Ben-Basat argues that Israel should not agree to Saudi Arabia developing an independent uranium enrichment capability as part of a normalization agreement under the Abraham Accords. He acknowledges the strategic benefits of peace with Saudi Arabia but insists that allowing enrichment would set off alarm bells in Jerusalem. The article notes that the agreement would not require Saudi Arabia to adopt the IAEA's Additional Protocol, making it different from the US-UAE agreement where Abu Dhabi renounced enrichment. The author argues that enrichment is not necessary for civilian nuclear power, as fuel can be purchased, and warns of a domino effect where Turkey and Egypt might seek similar capabilities. He cites Egypt's four reactors at El Dabaa and Turkey's ambitions. The piece concludes that Israel should be prepared to wait for normalization rather than risk a nuclear arms race, and recommends adopting the UAE model: reactors yes, enrichment no, strict oversight.