Israeli political and security leaders have warned that a proposed civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia could trigger a Middle East arms race, arguing that it risks undermining Israel’s long-term security and regional stability.
The proposed agreement, announced on Wednesday, would allow Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear reactors using US technology, including the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. The proposal must still be approved by the US Congress before it can take effect.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the proposal. However, several current and former Israeli officials have criticised the plan, saying it was negotiated without adequately addressing Israel’s security concerns.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is challenging Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 general election, described the proposal as a major strategic setback.
“The nuclear agreement being advanced with Saudi Arabia, without Israel’s involvement, is a serious strategic failure that threatens our security,” Bennett said, warning that permitting uranium enrichment on Saudi soil could fuel a regional nuclear arms race.
Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman also criticised the proposal, arguing that Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear programme could eventually evolve into a military capability.
He urged Israel to oppose the agreement and intensify efforts to persuade US lawmakers to reject it, warning that the proposal could encourage broader nuclear proliferation across the Middle East.
Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz similarly cautioned that introducing civilian nuclear capabilities into Saudi Arabia without embedding the initiative within a broader regional security framework would not serve Israel’s strategic interests.
He argued that such an approach could weaken, rather than strengthen, regional stability.
Successive US administrations, including those of President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, have pursued a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Previous efforts, however, stalled amid concerns from non-proliferation advocates that such a programme could provide the kingdom with a pathway to developing nuclear weapons.
Many Israeli officials had also hoped that any nuclear cooperation with Riyadh would be linked to a broader normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a key objective of previous US diplomatic efforts in the region.
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