Bin Salman chose a different path: why Netanyahu's plan didn't work

Maariv columnist Ran Adlist analyzes why Saudi Arabia, led by Mohammed bin Salman, is in no hurry to normalize relations with Israel, despite years of efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Riyadh continues to link normalization to the Palestinian issue and independently determines its foreign policy course, strengthening ties with other regional players.

Maariv columnist Ran Adlist analyzes why Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is in no hurry to normalize relations with Israel, despite years of diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Adlist notes that since 2016, Netanyahu has repeatedly spoken of the possibility of a historic agreement, viewing normalization as part of a new strategic bloc in the Middle East with US support. However, Saudi Arabia has for decades linked the establishment of relations to the Palestinian issue, and this condition remains significant. In November 2020, Netanyahu secretly visited Saudi Arabia together with then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, meeting with bin Salman and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. According to Adlist, the Saudi side insisted on complete secrecy of the meeting and made it clear that any agreement must account for the creation of a Palestinian state. Riyadh did not join the Abraham Accords even after allowing Israeli planes to use its airspace. Adlist highlights Saudi Arabia's strengthening ties with Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran, as well as the vulnerability of Gulf states demonstrated by Iranian and Houthi strikes. The author concludes that Netanyahu's long-standing bet on a quick agreement has so far not yielded results.