Israel and Saudi Arabia have no formal diplomatic diplomatic relations. But they are becoming closer and closer. The word is out that the two countries are meeting unofficially and frequently. They are discovering their common interests.

And their common interest is their common enemy: Iran. The religious basis of this relationship is that neither Israel or Saudi Arabia are Shia Muslim countries. Israel is, of course, Jewish in religion. Saudi Arabia is Sunni. In reality, Israel is a secular state. Thus, Israel and Saudi Arabia are united against Shia Iran.

Saudi Arabia fears the outreach of Iran into Iraq and the Gulf states. Their greatest concern is that Iran may procure nuclear weapons.

Israel fears the influence of Shia Islam and Iran into Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Thus, we must watch the growing effects of this alliance. The factor preventing any sort of formal diplomatic relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia is the failure to solve the Palestinian issue. But their alliance could be used as a force to speed the Palestinian peace process.