US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Raises Concerns in Israel Over Potential West Asia Arms Race
A proposed civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia has prompted expressions of concern from Israeli political figures, who warn it could spark an arms race in West Asia. The deal, announced on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), would allow Saudi Arabia to build nuclear reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium, pending approval by the US Congress.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the Defence and Foreign Ministers, has not yet commented publicly on the agreement. However, critics within Israel have voiced apprehension about its potential impact on regional security.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is running against Mr. Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 election, described the deal as “a serious strategic failure that endangers our security.” He added that “nuclear enrichment on Saudi soil could lead to a regional nuclear race and a dangerous loss of control.”
Former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman echoed these sentiments, stating that “the civilian nuclear programme in Saudi Arabia will end in nuclear weapons and will lead to a crazy arms race throughout the entire Middle East (West Asia).” He urged Israel to oppose the deal and lobby the US Congress to block it. Israel is widely believed to possess the region’s only nuclear arsenal, though it has never officially confirmed this.
A civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia has been under negotiation for years, during the administrations of former Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Previous attempts stalled due to warnings from non-proliferation groups that such an agreement could provide Saudi Arabia with a pathway to develop nuclear weapons.
Israeli officials had also hoped that any nuclear deal would be part of a broader normalisation agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, as envisioned under the Biden administration. Former Defence Chief Benny Gantz noted: “There is no security official who would say that introducing civilian nuclear capability into Saudi Arabia without integrating the move as part of building a moderate regional alliance is a step that is good for Israel’s security.”
The deal has yet to receive Congressional approval, and its final terms remain subject to negotiation. The development comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and heightened focus on nuclear non-proliferation.
