A proposal for a railway connection between Israel and the Gulf states is gaining traction, with a preliminary feasibility study being conducted. The plan, known as
"Tracks for Regional Peace," aims to strengthen ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia as part of the normalization efforts initiated by the 2020 Abraham Accords.
The project, originally proposed six years ago by former Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz, envisions a railway line connecting Haifa Port in Israel to the Gulf port of Dammam in Saudi Arabia, passing through Jordan. It seeks to enhance economic growth and stability in the region, linking the Mediterranean with the Persian Gulf.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed the rail link as part of his vision for regional peace, expressing optimism about its potential impact on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The proposal has undergone a preliminary feasibility study in collaboration with Israel Railways and Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company.
While certain sections of the railway infrastructure already exist, further development is required to realize the project. The Transportation Ministry emphasizes the need to assess feasibility, demand, engineering requirements, costs, and budgeting methods before proceeding with planning and implementation.
Jason Greenblatt, former White House envoy to the Middle East, sees the project as promising for Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe, provided there is buy-in from all parties involved. Additionally, discussions are underway among US, Saudi, Emirati, and Indian officials to explore the possibility of a joint railway network connecting the Gulf and Arab countries with India.
The proposed railway connections reflect the future direction of regional relations, according to Tel Aviv University Professor Uzi Rabi. He believes that normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is both a realistic and inevitable development, signaling a shift in perceptions of Israel in the region.
As discussions and feasibility studies continue, the railway project holds the potential to foster economic integration, regional connectivity, and peace accords, contributing to stability and prosperity in the Middle East. Photo by Bukvoed, Wikimedia commons.