Israeli AutoTech and Expanding the Abraham Accords

Driving Towards Normalization: How the Israeli AutoTech Sector Can Fast Track a Deal with Saudi Arabia

Eight years ago, President-Elect Donald Trump tasked a 39-year-old investment banker with no prior diplomatic experience to undertake what many in the media and among policy “experts” deemed an impossible, unrealistic, and even dangerous mission: to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations. Now, on the brink of Donald Trump’s second term as President, the Abraham Accords—spearheaded by Jared Kushner—stand as one of the most remarkable and strategically executed foreign policy achievements of recent times, even if critics remain reluctant to give Kushner and his team the credit they deserve.

The skepticism from Beltway pundits is hardly surprising when it comes to matters involving the Trump administration. Yet, as both the Abraham Accords and the recent election have demonstrated, President Trump and his team consistently defy expectations, achieving results where detractors often fail to comprehend the strategy. While Kushner has indicated that he will not hold a formal position in his father-in-law’s second administration, he is expected to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping its Middle East agenda.

This approach makes sense, given Kushner’s strong reputation in both Israel and the Arab world. In a region where trust is painstakingly earned, his close relationships with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will prove invaluable. These connections will likely support Steve Witkoff—Trump’s longtime confidant, billionaire investor, and nominee for Special Envoy to the Middle East—as he endeavors to expand the Abraham Accords by bringing Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into closer diplomatic alignment.

The Road to Peace: How Israel’s Automotive Innovations Can Drive Normalization with Saudi Arabia

The Abraham Accords have fundamentally reshaped the diplomatic landscape of the Middle East, offering a roadmap for peace rooted in economic cooperation. As the region’s geopolitical environment continues to evolve, Saudi Arabia, with its ambitions to become a global leader in automotive production and logistics, stands at the cusp of normalization with Israel. The Israeli automotive and mobility industries, globally recognized for their innovation, could serve as a powerful conduit for deepening ties, aligning economic interests, significantly enhancing the emerging Gulf-Israel transport corridor and fostering trust between the two nations. By integrating Israeli capabilities into Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning infrastructure, the partnership could set the stage for groundbreaking advancements in mobility, logistics, sustainability, and ultimately – normalization.

Unlocking Saudi-Israeli Collaboration in Mobility and Automotive Innovation

To foster regional leadership in mobility and automotive innovation, Saudi Arabia and Israel should establish a Joint Innovation Task Force. This task force, composed of government agencies, NGOs, and private sector players, would focus on key areas like electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, autonomous systems, and smart logistics, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Israel’s technological strengths.

Cross-border pilot projects could integrate Israeli technologies into Saudi infrastructure, including cybersecurity for connected vehicles, road condition monitoring, and autonomous vehicle testing. Additionally, teleoperation solutions could enhance safety and navigation in complex driving environments.

Bilateral technology summits would facilitate knowledge-sharing, allowing stakeholders to showcase innovations in EV batteries, hydrogen energy, and urban mobility. Educational exchanges would build regional expertise by connecting Saudi engineers with Israeli innovators in radar imaging, smart traffic management, and EV charging infrastructure.

Regional R&D centers in strategic locations like NEOM would serve as hubs for co-developing autonomous and urban mobility solutions, while collaborative ventures between Saudi and Israeli startups could drive advancements in cybersecurity, logistics, and vehicle connectivity.

A Gulf-Israel Transport Forum would align stakeholders on a roadmap for EV infrastructure, logistics, and mobility solutions, while enhancing port connectivity through digital technologies like blockchain.

Finally, joint innovation projects could tackle shared challenges, such as EV charging networks, predictive maintenance, and smart urban mobility, positioning Saudi Arabia and Israel as leaders in regional mobility transformation.

UAE: A Bridge for Regional Collaboration

Normalization between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not happen overnight. Significant challenges and political sensitivities remain, delaying the start of formal dialogue. However, there are practical pathways that both nations can leverage to initiate cooperation and bypass some of these barriers.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is uniquely positioned to act as a neutral facilitator in advancing automotive and mobility innovation between Israel and Saudi Arabia. With its strategic location, progressive policies, and trusted relationships with both nations, the UAE provides an ideal platform for fostering collaboration. Innovation hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi—renowned for their forward-thinking ecosystems—can host bilateral summits, workshops, and joint working groups. Platforms such as the Dubai Future Foundation and global events like GITEX Technology Week offer stakeholders from Israel and Saudi Arabia opportunities to engage openly and productively.

As a recognized leader in mobility innovation, exemplified by initiatives like Masdar City and the Dubai Autonomous Transport Strategy, the UAE delivers a trusted, innovation-driven environment for piloting projects and aligning shared priorities. Its central role in the Abraham Accords and its strong economic ties with Saudi Arabia further position the UAE as a credible intermediary, capable of building trust, accelerating regional cooperation, and unlocking the transformative potential of cross-border innovation.

Normalization Beyond Economics

The Abraham Accords have shown that economic collaboration can act as a cornerstone for broader diplomatic engagement. By integrating Israeli innovations into Saudi Arabia’s transportation and logistics sectors, normalization efforts could be perceived not just as political agreements but as practical collaborations with tangible benefits for both societies. The trust built through these partnerships could catalyze further cultural and diplomatic ties, as seen in other Gulf countries that have embraced normalization.

As both nations explore ways to expand their horizons, Israel’s automotive and mobility industries represent a tangible, forward-looking avenue for creating mutual value. The automotive and mobility sectors can not only drive economic growth but also pave the way for a historic partnership rooted in shared progress. The time is ripe for such collaboration, signaling a future where technology, innovation, and diplomacy intersect for the betterment of the Middle East.