Israeli officials are reportedly lobbying the Trump administration to oppose a proposed overland trade corridor linking the Gulf to Europe via Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Turkey, according to media reports.
The proposed project would establish a land transportation route for goods, commercial cargo and passenger traffic, connecting Gulf states with European markets through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Turkey.
According to the reports, senior figures within Israel’s governing coalition have stepped up contacts with officials in Washington in an effort to persuade the US administration to intervene against the initiative.
The reports claim Israeli officials believe the corridor could undermine Israel’s strategic and economic position by diverting regional trade flows away from Israeli infrastructure.
According to the reports, Israeli officials have argued in discussions with US counterparts that the project could also negatively affect the interests of key American partners, including India and Israel.
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The reports further state that Israeli policymakers are concerned the initiative could strengthen economic cooperation among Sunni-majority regional states, creating new geopolitical alignments that would reduce Israel’s regional influence.
According to the reports, some Israeli officials believe the corridor could diminish the strategic importance of the Port of Haifa and compete with transport initiatives previously promoted by the United States in partnership with India and the United Arab Emirates.
The reports also claim that opposition to the project has gained traction among some Republican lawmakers and political figures in Washington.
According to the reports, congressional offices received a number of messages from individuals identified as pro-Israel advocates expressing concern that the proposed corridor could weaken Israel’s regional position and affect broader US strategic interests in the Middle East.
Neither the Israeli government nor the White House has publicly commented on the reported lobbying efforts.
Details of the proposed trade corridor, including its financing, implementation timetable and participating countries, have not been officially announced.
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