"...The winds of change blowing in from the Gulf are being received coldly in Jerusalem. According to a message recently relayed from Washington, Qatar and Oman may be willing to renew relations with Israel if the latter freezes construction in West Bank settlements.
But as there has been no progress in talks with the US regarding its demand to halt construction, Israeli officials say these are premature promises, and that no significant change in ties should be expected in the near future.
The Gulf states have recently been under American pressure to offer gestures of normalizations to Israel in exchange for a settlement freeze, and thus have signaled they are willing to resume official ties with Israel as part of a regional peace deal.
Until recently, Qatar did have an Israeli delegation office, but its diplomats were expelled following Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, some seven months ago....
While the two nations seem to be willing to bend in Israel's favor, Saudi Arabia continues to oppose all proposals of normalization with Israel. A top official in Jerusalem told Ynet on Friday that the Saudi stance was only boosted following declarations and decisions made in last week's Fatah congress in Bethlehem...."
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