Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed that Saudi Arabia and Israel are progressively getting closer to normalizing their relations on a daily basis. He emphasized that the Palestinian issue remains a crucial aspect of this process.
These remarks, delivered in English, marked a rare public statement by bin Salman regarding the normalization efforts.
They were made shortly after US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the matter at the United Nations General Assembly.
Bin Salman, often referred to as MBS and effectively the ruler of Saudi Arabia, shared comments during an interview with Fox News, which released several brief segments, with the full interview set to air later that evening. Bin Salman’s stance has generally been perceived as less adversarial toward Israel compared to his father, King Salman.
He previously stated that Saudi Arabia does not view Israel as an enemy but rather as a potential ally with shared interests.
A senior official from the Biden administration, providing insights after the Biden-Netanyahu meeting, indicated that the Israeli Prime Minister also recognizes the significance of the Palestinian matter in the normalization talks.
They emphasized that all involved leaders understand the historic nature of the Israel-Saudi Arabia relationship and that difficult decisions are required, including those related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This marks a change in Netanyahu’s perspective, as he had previously downplayed the centrality of the Palestinian component in Saudi normalization talks.
Netanyahu now faces constraints from his far-right coalition partners who oppose steps toward Palestinian statehood. Instead, he is looking to focus on economic projects to improve Palestinian livelihoods and provide assistance to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority.
In his public remarks with Biden, Netanyahu reiterated his belief that an Israel-Saudi normalization agreement could significantly advance the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and foster reconciliation between the Islamic world and Israel. An Israeli official expressed optimism about the chances of a deal, giving it slightly more than a 50% likelihood.
However, US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf expressed caution, noting that the road to such an agreement is long and complex.
Israel and Saudi Arabia is seeking a defense pact with the US, arms deals, and US cooperation in establishing a civilian nuclear program on its soil.
The US, in turn, wants Saudi Arabia to reduce its economic and military dealings with China and Russia. There is also mention of Saudi Arabia’s concern about Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The administration official highlighted the US’s concerns about tensions in the West Bank, differentiating between settler violence and terrorist violence. They also mentioned discussions about reforming the judiciary in Israel and the need for compromise in that regard.
Overall, the meeting between Biden and Netanyahu was characterized as constructive and candid, with the hope that it will ultimately lead to productive outcomes.
