Israel PM says ‘historic peace’ possible with Saudi Arabia

[MenInG]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Israeli media report.

Flight-tracking data showed a business jet previously used by Mr Netanyahu travelled to the city of Neom, where the prince and Mr Pompeo held talks.

There was no official confirmation.

It would be the first known meeting between leaders of the historical foes, who the US wants to normalise ties.

President Donald Trump has recently brokered deals establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.

Saudi Arabia cautiously welcomed the moves, but has indicated it would not follow suit until there was a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55042055

 

[gani999]

Saudi Arabia and Israel have had several diplomatic exchanges in the past. Business ties between the two countries are already well advanced. This is probably the final meeting before Saudi awards recognition to Israel.

Erdogan and IK should be salivating at the prospect of being the only muslim leaders who have the liberation of Jerusalem from the infidels on their agenda.

 

[Firebat]

Saudi will confirm reopening ties with Israel very soon, though in practise the ties between the countries have probably been there for a while.

 

[Varun]

UAE and Bahrain recognizing Israel obviously means Saudi Arabia isn't far away from doing so.

 

[Varun]

Erdogan and IK should be salivating at the prospect of being the only muslim leaders who have the liberation of Jerusalem from the infidels on their agenda.

Both of them realize there is more mileage from stating that they are going to do whatever in Palestine than actually doing it.

Erdogan has full diplomatic and trade relations with Israel anyway. He's upturned many things in his country and its borders but hasn't touched that.

 

[Nadeemp]

Both of them realize there is more mileage from stating that they are going to do whatever in Palestine than actually doing it.

Erdogan has full diplomatic and trade relations with Israel anyway. He's upturned many things in his country and its borders but hasn't touched that.

It’s all for show. Israel and turkey even sell weapons to each other.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Saudi Arabia and Israel have had several diplomatic exchanges in the past. Business ties between the two countries are already well advanced. This is probably the final meeting before Saudi awards recognition to Israel.

Erdogan and IK should be salivating at the prospect of being the only muslim leaders who have the liberation of Jerusalem from the infidels on their agenda.

Iran too. Not sure who is the leader of Iran right now, but the Shias will get a boost in credibility if Saudis sign a deal. I am not sure how seriously the rest of the Muslim world take Saudis though, they are mostly just seen as a family who struck rich on oil.

 

[LongHorn]

It’s all for show. Israel and turkey even sell weapons to each other.

They were also allies supporting Azerbaijan against Armenia, most other countries leaning slightly towards the latter (only Iran and Russia were clearly pro-Armenia)

 

[saeedhk]

Both of them realize there is more mileage from stating that they are going to do whatever in Palestine than actually doing it.

Erdogan has full diplomatic and trade relations with Israel anyway. He's upturned many things in his country and its borders but hasn't touched that.

Erdogan is the second most hypocritical world leader after Imran Khan. All his anti-Israel rhetoric is pure drama. Israel and Turkey have strong economic, defense, cultural and tourism ties.

I know a lot of Pakistanis who have been successfully fooled by Erdogan and they all believe he is our saviour who would free Palestine and bring down the US and Israel to their knees!

 

[Nadeemp]

Erdogan is the second most hypocritical world leader after Imran Khan. All his anti-Israel rhetoric is pure drama. Israel and Turkey have strong economic, defense, cultural and tourism ties.

I know a lot of Pakistanis who have been successfully fooled by Erdogan and they all believe he is our saviour who would free Palestine and bring down the US and Israel to their knees!

The only thing he is bringing down is turkeys economy. Due to immense pressure he had to fire/resign his son in law . By all accounts he had no business being in that position.

 

[Varun]

I know a lot of Pakistanis who have been successfully fooled by Erdogan and they all believe he is our saviour who would free Palestine and bring down the US and Israel to their knees!

Again, a lot of Pakistanis probably believe that he is going to free Palestine and bring down the US and Israel than actually expecting the end result. Words speak louder than action.

 

[MenInG]

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has denied reports that a meeting took place between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli officials on Sunday.

“I have seen press reports about a purported meeting between HRH the Crown Prince and Israeli officials during the recent visit by @SecPompeo. No such meeting occurred. The only officials present were American and Saudi,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Israeli media reported earlier that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret talks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS.

The reports by Israeli public broadcaster Kan and other outlets came weeks after Israel reached deals to establish relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.

The deals were brokered by the administration of United States President Donald Trump, who leaves office in less than two months.

There has been widespread speculation, within Israel and the US, that Washington may push for other Arab states to follow suit before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Israel last week, was also at the reported talks, according to Kan’s diplomatic correspondent.

Pompeo has confirmed he was in Neom on the Red Sea as part of a Middle East Tour and met MBS.

Netanyahu’s office, US State Department and the US embassy to Israel had not commented on the reports.

Saudi stance
Publicly, Saudi Arabia has said it would stick to the decades-old Arab League position of not having ties with Israel until the Jewish state’s conflict with the Palestinians is resolved.

The Palestinians have condemned the normalisation deals as “a stab in the back”, urging Arab states to hold firm until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territory and agrees to the creation of a Palestinian state.

In late August, Netanyahu said Israel was holding “unpublicised meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders to normalise relations with the state of Israel”, without naming any countries.

But, amid speculation that smaller Arab states such as Oman were also interested in a deal, Saudi Arabia has stood out a the key target for Israel, given the kingdom’s wealth and influence.

Sunni Arab states and especially Israel worry that Biden may seek to revive the Iran nuclear deal agreed between Tehran and world powers during Barack Obama’s presidency, which was scrapped by Trump.

Trump’s administration has also downplayed the importance of human rights issues in international diplomacy and was particularly cautious about criticising Saudi Arabia’s rights record, notably over the murder by Saudi agents of prominent journalist and Saudi royal critic Jamal Khashoggi.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ing-between-crown-prince-and-israeli-official

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

MBS is tearing down the foundations of the House of Saud and I can't see how this kind of radical change is welcomed by the elites of the Kingdom, even if dissent is never made public. I would think that the likelihood of him being uprooted in palace coup is a very real possibility.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Erdogan is the second most hypocritical world leader after Imran Khan. All his anti-Israel rhetoric is pure drama. Israel and Turkey have strong economic, defense, cultural and tourism ties.

I know a lot of Pakistanis who have been successfully fooled by Erdogan and they all believe he is our saviour who would free Palestine and bring down the US and Israel to their knees!

Most defence ties were suspended years ago. Economic ties were around before Erdogan appeared, it's not easy to stop these as it will hurt Turks too.

If you think Israel and Turkey are friends, it's you who is fooled.

Israel is a temporary state, it cannot survive forever due to it's location.

 

[the Great Khan]

MBS is tearing down the foundations of the House of Saud and I can't see how this kind of radical change is welcomed by the elites of the Kingdom, even if dissent is never made public. I would think that the likelihood of him being uprooted in palace coup is a very real possibility.

one of the signs of the hour is a internal fight for the throne in arabia..this is just the beginning.
I predict we will eventually see a rival faction rise to oppose mbs and then we may see the beginnings of major turmoil within saudi..

I expect this new faction to garner support from the east and turkey..

 

[saeedhk]

Most defence ties were suspended years ago. Economic ties were around before Erdogan appeared, it's not easy to stop these as it will hurt Turks too.

If you think Israel and Turkey are friends, it's you who is fooled.

Israel is a temporary state, it cannot survive forever due to it's location.

Trade between Israel and Turkey has only grown in recent years. Erdogan is a master at playing on both sides. Also, Erdogan was the prime minister of Turkey for 11 years - what steps did he take to downgrade relations with Israel?

Israel is not a temporary state. It is a strong and robust state with a booming economy. Muslims with all their armies and militaries combined have not been able to take an inch of land from Israel in the last 60 years and you claim the Jewish state is a temporary one. In fact, Israel has taken over Arab territory in the last 60 years. I forecast Muslims to continue to receive a phainta from Israel in years to come. Rok sako toh roklo!

 

[KingKhanWC]

Trade between Israel and Turkey has only grown in recent years. Erdogan is a master at playing on both sides. Also, Erdogan was the prime minister of Turkey for 11 years - what steps did he take to downgrade relations with Israel?

Israel is not a temporary state. It is a strong and robust state with a booming economy. Muslims with all their armies and militaries combined have not been able to take an inch of land from Israel in the last 60 years and you claim the Jewish state is a temporary one. In fact, Israel has taken over Arab territory in the last 60 years. I forecast Muslims to continue to receive a phainta from Israel in years to come. Rok sako toh roklo!

Ive just told you he downgraded defence ties which you ignore and then ask a question which has been answered.lol. You dont hurt yourself, so it's not easy to break economic ties esp in the modern world.

Israel is only strong due to being backed by Nato. Israeli's are a tiny number, they cant last on their own. Once Nato weakens so will Israel. Crusaders held Jerusalem longer than Israels illegitimate existance. Hezbollah also battered the Zionists just over a decade ago. Israel went to war with Hezbollah to free 3 captured soldiers. In the end 3 dead bodies along with another 100 dead Zionist troops were exchanged to FREE freedom fighters. You look back too far, this wasnt long ago. Missile technology has emerged. Hezbollah alone have enough missiles to destroy Tel Aviv to dust.

Please educate yourself before indjulging in debate with me.

 

[Nadeemp]

Ive just told you he downgraded defence ties which you ignore and then ask a question which has been answered.lol. You dont hurt yourself, so it's not easy to break economic ties esp in the modern world.

Israel is only strong due to being backed by Nato. Israeli's are a tiny number, they cant last on their own. Once Nato weakens so will Israel. Crusaders held Jerusalem longer than Israels illegitimate existance. Hezbollah also battered the Zionists just over a decade ago. Israel went to war with Hezbollah to free 3 captured soldiers. In the end 3 dead bodies along with another 100 dead Zionist troops were exchanged to FREE freedom fighters. You look back too far, this wasnt long ago. Missile technology has emerged. Hezbollah alone have enough missiles to destroy Tel Aviv to dust.

Please educate yourself before indjulging in debate with me.

Israel is a terrorist state. However it ain’t goI c anywhere. This is just delusions in your head. It’s gettting more right wing than ever and more likely to expand than contract

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Pakistan should use this opportunity to take the mantle of ummat on themselves.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

one of the signs of the hour is a internal fight for the throne in arabia..this is just the beginning.
I predict we will eventually see a rival faction rise to oppose mbs and then we may see the beginnings of major turmoil within saudi..

I expect this new faction to garner support from the east and turkey..

Yes I think this is highly likely aswell. MBS has been riding the tiger for far too long. Something has to give.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Ive just told you he downgraded defence ties which you ignore and then ask a question which has been answered.lol. You dont hurt yourself, so it's not easy to break economic ties esp in the modern world.

Israel is only strong due to being backed by Nato. Israeli's are a tiny number, they cant last on their own. Once Nato weakens so will Israel. Crusaders held Jerusalem longer than Israels illegitimate existance. Hezbollah also battered the Zionists just over a decade ago. Israel went to war with Hezbollah to free 3 captured soldiers. In the end 3 dead bodies along with another 100 dead Zionist troops were exchanged to FREE freedom fighters. You look back too far, this wasnt long ago. Missile technology has emerged. Hezbollah alone have enough missiles to destroy Tel Aviv to dust.

Please educate yourself before indjulging in debate with me.

Not NATO but US is the biggest reason Israel is what it is today. Since their birth Israel has received practically unchecked military aid and weapons from the US that has allowed it to stand shoulders above its Arab neighbors in regards to military power. But this is one aspect. Another is that the Israeli military IS one of the most battle-hardened and effective militaries in the world. This explains how they repeatedly routed the Arabs in First Arab-Israeli War and the Six Day War despite having such a small population. Even in the Yom Kippur War where the Egyptians had dominated the early proceedings, the Israelis found a way to come back and fight to a stalemate. Among other things, they have one of the most effective intelligence agencies in the world, adept at protecting Israel's national interests and they have one of the most developed economies in the world, one driven by technological advancement.

As much as one would like to predict the downfall of a genocidal state like Israel, it isn't happening anytime soon. Atleast until the US is around as the supreme superpower on the planet. But at the same time, one can't ignore history and no nation that has oppressed and murdered innocents continually has been able to get away with it. It may not happen in our lifetime, but Israel will get theirs. As Eqbal Ahmed once said: "Every policy that begins on the assumption of keeping someone weak forever is doomed to fail."

 

[Nadeemp]

Not NATO but US is the biggest reason Israel is what it is today. Since their birth Israel has received practically unchecked military aid and weapons from the US that has allowed it to stand shoulders above its Arab neighbors in regards to military power. But this is one aspect. Another is that the Israeli military IS one of the most battle-hardened and effective militaries in the world. This explains how they repeatedly routed the Arabs in First Arab-Israeli War and the Six Day War despite having such a small population. Even in the Yom Kippur War where the Egyptians had dominated the early proceedings, the Israelis found a way to come back and fight to a stalemate. Among other things, they have one of the most effective intelligence agencies in the world, adept at protecting Israel's national interests and they have one of the most developed economies in the world, one driven by technological advancement.

As much as one would like to predict the downfall of a genocidal state like Israel, it isn't happening anytime soon. Atleast until the US is around as the supreme superpower on the planet. But at the same time, one can't ignore history and no nation that has oppressed and murdered innocents continually has been able to get away with it. It may not happen in our lifetime, but Israel will get theirs. As Eqbal Ahmed once said: "Every policy that begins on the assumption of keeping someone weak forever is doomed to fail."

Great post. Usa, Canadá and Australia got away with it

 

[Nadeemp]

Great post anyway. But what do you think of those countries i mentioned. They oppressed and got away with it

 

[rhony]

Not NATO but US is the biggest reason Israel is what it is today. Since their birth Israel has received practically unchecked military aid and weapons from the US that has allowed it to stand shoulders above its Arab neighbors in regards to military power. But this is one aspect. Another is that the Israeli military IS one of the most battle-hardened and effective militaries in the world. This explains how they repeatedly routed the Arabs in First Arab-Israeli War and the Six Day War despite having such a small population. Even in the Yom Kippur War where the Egyptians had dominated the early proceedings, the Israelis found a way to come back and fight to a stalemate. Among other things, they have one of the most effective intelligence agencies in the world, adept at protecting Israel's national interests and they have one of the most developed economies in the world, one driven by technological advancement.

As much as one would like to predict the downfall of a genocidal state like Israel, it isn't happening anytime soon. Atleast until the US is around as the supreme superpower on the planet. But at the same time, one can't ignore history and no nation that has oppressed and murdered innocents continually has been able to get away with it. It may not happen in our lifetime, but Israel will get theirs. As Eqbal Ahmed once said: "Every policy that begins on the assumption of keeping someone weak forever is doomed to fail."

"Every policy that begins on the assumption of keeping someone weak forever is doomed". That's a nice comment and I concur. Israel is the prime example. Jews suffered for thousands of years and were considered weaklings. Not anymore. They rose like a phoenix after the holocaust where their mere existence was in jeopardy. They will continue to get stronger. A country borne out of nothing has become an advanced economy based on technology in a few decades. Just look.at the progress of their neighbors and you will see the miracle of Israel. When the oil dollars stop with incoming EV, Israel will be even more dominant with the weakening of the now oil rich arab countries.

 

[saeedhk]

Ive just told you he downgraded defence ties which you ignore and then ask a question which has been answered.lol. You dont hurt yourself, so it's not easy to break economic ties esp in the modern world.

Israel is only strong due to being backed by Nato. Israeli's are a tiny number, they cant last on their own. Once Nato weakens so will Israel. Crusaders held Jerusalem longer than Israels illegitimate existance. Hezbollah also battered the Zionists just over a decade ago. Israel went to war with Hezbollah to free 3 captured soldiers. In the end 3 dead bodies along with another 100 dead Zionist troops were exchanged to FREE freedom fighters. You look back too far, this wasnt long ago. Missile technology has emerged. Hezbollah alone have enough missiles to destroy Tel Aviv to dust.

Please educate yourself before indjulging in debate with me.

The downgrade of defense ties is in part also due to the fact that Turkey can now manufacture its own weapons especially drones so it no longer requires Israeli hardware. I believe such downgrade has little impact on the overall relationship of the two countries. Although Ergodan may have downgraded defense ties with Israel, trade, tourism and cultural exchange have only grown. This shows Erdogan has little credibility.

Israel is powerful because it has a strong R&D culture which is reflected in the high number of Nobel prizes it has won in sciences. Its people are hardworking and intelligent. No power on earth can undo Israel; this will forever remain a pipedream of Muslims especially Pakistanis.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Israel and Saudi's have been close for a long time now, they are now only taking steps to bring it out in the open, only a matter of time before it happens.

Now what does this mean for Pakistanis ?

I believe Pakistan should take the step to recognize Israel as well in the future and forget their UMMAh to the Palestinians. Lets be fair most Pakistanis are going to hell for not even acknowledging the struggles of the Ughyurs (going by what it says in the Quran: not to ignore another muslim's struggles) so it makes zero sense for them to support the Palestinians.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had Saudi Arabia not been on Israel's coronavirus green list, Netanyahu and his staff would technically been compelled to quarantine for 14 days upon return.<a href="https://t.co/eKSwqS8acd">https://t.co/eKSwqS8acd</a></p>— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/dawn_com/status/1331194164197920768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[KingKhanWC]

The downgrade of defense ties is in part also due to the fact that Turkey can now manufacture its own weapons especially drones so it no longer requires Israeli hardware. I believe such downgrade has little impact on the overall relationship of the two countries. Although Ergodan may have downgraded defense ties with Israel, trade, tourism and cultural exchange have only grown. This shows Erdogan has little credibility.

Israel is powerful because it has a strong R&D culture which is reflected in the high number of Nobel prizes it has won in sciences. Its people are hardworking and intelligent. No power on earth can undo Israel; this will forever remain a pipedream of Muslims especially Pakistanis.

No it's not, instead of guessing look at the dates when these ties were downgraded and reasons for it.

Miltary might is not based on Nobel prizes lol. Any attack on Israel will mean US, UK and Europe will join in with help by military means and political means.

Hezbollah battered Israel with missiles and could finish off the country within a weak but will also suffer, prob a nuclear attack from a terrorist nation. Does Israel have nukes? You have no clue how combat works.

 

[saeedhk]

No it's not, instead of guessing look at the dates when these ties were downgraded and reasons for it.

Miltary might is not based on Nobel prizes lol. Any attack on Israel will mean US, UK and Europe will join in with help by military means and political means.

Hezbollah battered Israel with missiles and could finish off the country within a weak but will also suffer, prob a nuclear attack from a terrorist nation. Does Israel have nukes? You have no clue how combat works.

Having a strong R&D culture benefits a country's military and aids the the development of new and indigenous weaponry.

Hezbollah would defeat Israel similar to how Arab armies defeated and humiliated Israel in Yom Kippur War.

 

[Varun]

Hezbollah battered Israel with missiles and could finish off the country within a week but will also suffer, prob a nuclear attack from a terrorist nation. Does Israel have nukes? You have no clue how combat works.

No they wouldn't. The prophecy doesn't say so.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Netenyahu should have insisted that MBS and Pompeo flew to Tel Aviv assuming it is the Saudis who are desperate to do the deal. With such great Israeli R&D and military capability as professed wondrously by [MENTION=48598]saeedhk[/MENTION], Saudis are the ones who should be doing the running around. Also why the need for secrecy? Do it openly and be proud of progress if that is how you want to present it.

 

[Tubs]

I understand why it's a touchy subject, but it's a net-positive I think. If SA improves relations, then Pakistan can follow suit. It will only be mutually beneficial for all parties, well aside from the Palestinians. If all of these Islamic countries really cared, they could provide their support for Israel under the condition that a two state-solution is achieved, but this is all for monetary gain.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I understand why it's a touchy subject, but it's a net-positive I think. If SA improves relations, then Pakistan can follow suit. It will only be mutually beneficial for all parties, well aside from the Palestinians. If all of these Islamic countries really cared, they could provide their support for Israel under the condition that a two state-solution is achieved, but this is all for monetary gain.

I guess that might have been the Nazi argument for trying to rid Germany of the jews.

 

[daytrader]

Israel PM says ‘historic peace’ possible with Saudi Arabia
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday an ambitious US-backed deal to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia was possible, as he met US President Joe Biden in New York.

“I think that under your leadership, Mr President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” Netanyahu told reporters, adding that it could “go a long way” to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”

Netanyahu’s statement came after he and Biden — who has been pushing Israel to agree to a coveted peace deal with Saudi Arabia — tried to smooth over months of tensions as they met for the first time on Wednesday since the Israeli PM’s reelection in December.

Israel PM says ‘historic peace’ possible with Saudi Arabia

"Such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict," says Netanyahu.

www.dawn.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Saudi Arabia interested in Israel normalisation deal after war

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UK says it is interested in normalising relations with Israel after the war in Gaza, but that any deal must lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Prince Khalid bin Bandar told the BBC a pact was "close" when the the kingdom paused US-brokered talks after Hamas's deadly attacks on Israel on 7 October.

Saudi Arabia still believed in establishing ties with Israel despite the "deplorable" casualty figures in Gaza, he said, but it would not "come at the cost of the Palestinian people".

The ambassador also warned that there was a "failure of humanity" over Gaza, with the international community not doing enough to end the fighting.

He also said he would like to see the UK "moderate it's position" and "treat Israel the same way it treats everyone else". "The blind spot towards Israel is a real problem because it provides a blind spot to peace," he added.

Saudi Arabia interested in Israel normalisation deal after war

The Saudi ambassador to the UK says any agreement must lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

www.bbc.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Saudis could recognise Israel if Palestinian issue resolved - foreign minister

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Tuesday the kingdom could recognise Israel if a comprehensive agreement were reached that included statehood for the Palestinians, ambitious talk as the war between Israel and Hamas shows no sign of easing.

"We agree that regional peace includes peace for Israel, but that could only happen through peace for the Palestinians through a Palestinian state," Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Asked if Saudi Arabia would then recognise Israel as part of a wider political agreement, he said: "Certainly."

Prince Faisal said securing regional peace through the creation of a Palestinian state was "something we have been indeed working on with the U.S. administration, and it is more relevant in the context of Gaza".

Securing a normalisation deal with Saudi Arabia would be the grand prize for Israel after it established diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, and could transform the geopolitics of the Middle East.

The Sunni Muslim kingdom, the most powerful country in the Arab world and home to the most sacred sites in Islam, wields considerable religious clout across the globe.

After the eruption of war last October between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas that rules Gaza, Saudi Arabia put on ice U.S.-backed plans for the kingdom to normalise ties with Israel, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, in a swift reordering of of its diplomatic priorities.

The two sources told Reuters there would be some delay in the U.S.-backed talks on normalisation of Saudi-Israel ties, which is seen as a key step for the kingdom to secure what it considers the real prize of a U.S. defence pact in exchange.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudis-could-recognise-israel-if-palestinian-issue-resolved-foreign-minister-2024-01-16/

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saudi Says No Israel Ties Without Independent Palestinian State

Saudi Arabia has told Washington it will not establish ties with Israel until an independent Palestinian state "is recognised", the Gulf kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital," read the statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Israeli "aggression" in Gaza must also stop and all Israeli forces must withdraw from the besieged territory, the statement said.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, has never recognised Israel and did not join the 2020 US-brokered Abraham Accords that saw its Gulf neighbours Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Morocco, establish formal ties with Israel.

Wednesday's statement came in response to comments by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who told reporters on Tuesday that talks on Saudi-Israeli normalisation were "ongoing" and that Washington had "received positive feedback from both sides that they're willing to continue to have those discussions".

On a crisis tour of the region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia this week before stops in Egypt, Qatar and then Israel, where he is pressing for a truce deal in the Israel-Hamas war.

On Tuesday, Blinken told reporters in Doha that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had "reiterated Saudi Arabia's strong interest in pursuing" normalisation during their meeting in Riyadh.

"But he also made clear what he had said to me before, which is that in order to do that, two things will be required -- an end to the conflict in Gaza, and a clear, credible timebound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Blinken said.

US President Joe Biden's administration has pushed hard for Saudi Arabia to recognise Israel.

Before the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October, Riyadh laid out conditions including security guarantees from Washington and help developing a civilian nuclear programme.

Any momentum stalled soon after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 that killed about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

One week later, a source familiar with the normalisation talks told AFP that Saudi Arabia had paused the process.

Vowing to eliminate Hamas, Israel has launched air strikes and a land offensive that have killed at least 27,585 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud, told the World Economic Forum last month that normalisation would be impossible without an "irrevocable" pathway towards the creation of a Palestinian state.

SOURCE: AFP