Eight years ago, President-elect Donald Trump tasked his son-in-law, a 39-year-old investment banker with no prior diplomatic experience, to undertake what many deemed an impossible and unrealistic mission: work to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.
Now, on the brink of Trump’s second term as president, the 2020 Abraham Accords, spearheaded by Jared Kushner, stand as one of the most strategically executed foreign-policy achievements in recent times. 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 his close relationships with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These connections will likely support Steve Witkoff, Trump’s longtime confidant and nominee for special envoy to the Middle East, as he endeavors to expand the accords by bringing Israel and Saudi Arabia into closer diplomatic alignment.
The accords have reshaped the diplomatic landscape, offering a roadmap for peace rooted in economic cooperation. As the region’s geopolitical environment continues to evolve, Saudi Arabia—with its ambitions of becoming 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 by aligning economic interests, enhancing the emerging Gulf-Israel transport corridor and fostering trust between the two nations.
A partnership integrating Israeli capabilities with Riyadh’s burgeoning infrastructure could set the stage for groundbreaking advancements in mobility, logistics, sustainability, and, ultimately, normalization.
To foster regional leadership in these sectors, Saudi Arabia and Israel should establish a joint innovation task force. This group would be composed of government agencies, NGOs and private-sector players, and focus on key areas like electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, autonomous systems and smart logistics, aligning with both 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. Tele-operation solutions could also 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 research-and-development centers in strategic locations, like NEOM, an area of Saudi Arabia currently under development, could serve as hubs for co-developing these systems.
A Gulf-Israel transport forum would align stakeholders on a roadmap for EV infrastructure and logistics and mobility solutions while enhancing port connectivity through digital technologies like blockchain. Finally, joint innovation projects could tackle shared challenges, positioning Saudi Arabia and Israel as leaders in regional mobility transformation.
Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia will not happen overnight. Significant challenges and political sensitivities remain; however, there are practical pathways these nations can leverage to initiate cooperation and bypass some of the barriers.
The United Arab Emirates is uniquely positioned to act as a neutral facilitator in advancing automotive and mobility innovation between the two countries. 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. The Dubai Future Foundation and GITEX Technology Week offer 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.
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 time is ripe for such collaboration, signaling a future where technology, innovation and diplomacy intersect for the betterment of the Middle East.