of the Likud party and is thought of as a close associate of Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as being close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The interview took place in Elkin's office in Jerusalem. He was asked about possible cooperation between Israel and Arab states, and replied: "I'm a very realistic person, and in the current situation the ground is ready for cooperation around share interests.

"Nonetheless, dialogue around a joint alliance is still a long way off," Elkin continued. "We will respect any alliance that is based on partnership and recognition of Israel as a nation-state."

Elkin did not respond directly to the question of whether negotiations between Israel and Arab states were in the pipeline, only saying: "It's up to those countries whether they want relations with us tobe public or hidden."

The ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran also hung over the interview. Elkin claimed that "the Middle East will not go back to how it was, especially in the wake of Iran's attempts to wrest control over it.

"At the same time, there is also rising Islamic extremism as can be seen with Islamic State. It's deepening the rift between Sunnis and Shi'ites and just proves that Israel is not the root of the divisions in the Middle East."

Elkin also had a message for Saudi readers, saying that the situation in Jerusalem was relatively calm. "The wave of incitement that intensified last year in Jerusalem has finished and moved into the Judea and Samaria areas.

"Whoever visits the Temple Mount will not feel that there is