"Yes to ties, no to normalization": The mystery of Israel-Oman relations

An analysis of Israel-Oman relations in light of the involvement of an Omani pilot in the attempted attack on a Flydubai flight. Oman maintains ties with Israel but refuses full normalization, while supporting a two-state solution and maintaining its role as a regional mediator. The article reviews Omani policy, past visits, its avoidance of the Abraham Accords, and the impact of the Gaza war on its stance.

A comprehensive analysis of Israel-Oman relations, which came to the fore following the involvement of an Omani-born pilot in the attempted attack on a Flydubai flight. Oman is described as a country that is not hostile to Israel in the sense of a complete break, but does not maintain full diplomatic relations and refuses normalization. Its policy combines consistent support for the Palestinians' right to a state, maintaining channels of communication with Israel, and an attempt to position itself as a neutral mediator. Academic research defines this as a "mediator state" strategy. The article reviews Oman's official stance, which includes support for a two-state solution and a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, and opposition to settlements. It describes historical contacts, including visits by Rabin and Peres in the 1990s, Netanyahu's visit in 2018, and the closure of the Israeli trade office with the outbreak of the Second Intifada. Oman welcomed the Abraham Accords but emphasized that they should lead to an end to the occupation. The Shura Council's 2023 vote to expand the law banning ties with Israel reflects public sensitivity. The war in Gaza deepened the pro-Palestinian stance. For Israel, Oman is not a target for rapid normalization but a channel for regional dialogue, conditional on progress in the political process.