JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation not to touch Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Israeli expert on Arab affairs, Jackie Khoji, said.
"The Israeli request from Washington means that Riyadh for Tel Aviv is a strategic treasure, and that Netanyahu volunteered to save Mohammed bin Salman means that Israel needs him," Khuji said in an article published on Saturday in Maariv newspaper. "To the Secretary General of the UAE, As well as to the Bahrainis and other leaders. "
He pointed out that some Arab countries that have secret relations with Israel, turned from partnership to intensive work because of its hostility with Iran and Hezbollah.
The Washington Post reported last month that Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had been in contact with the US administration to defend Mohammed bin Salman after the Khashoggi murder case broke out.
The newspaper quoted sources as saying that Sisi and Netanyahu had contacted senior officials in the administration of President Donald Trump to express their support for the Saudi crown prince, whom Netanyahu called a "strategic ally".
While Netanyahu is trying to save Mohammed bin Salman from the consequences of Khashoggi's death, internal pressure is mounting on Trump to adopt stronger positions and take punitive measures against the Saudi crown prince after a CIA report blamed him for the murder.