Is normalization possible between Riyadh and Israel?
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the possibility of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, linking this breakthrough to a long-term nuclear deal. He has already discussed the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, Riyadh demands irreversible steps toward the creation of a Palestinian state, which Jerusalem rejects.
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times that normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is quite possible but depends on a number of political conditions. He has already discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. According to Trump, both sides are interested in establishing official ties. Trump links the diplomatic rapprochement to a large-scale nuclear deal. Earlier, the US Department of Energy signed a multi-year agreement with Riyadh to support the kingdom's peaceful nuclear program without the right to enrich materials. However, Trump unexpectedly made the implementation of these agreements conditional on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. As CNN notes, such a strict linkage came as a surprise to Washington negotiators and Riyadh itself. The stumbling block remains the Crown Prince's position: Riyadh demands irreversible steps from Israel toward the creation of a Palestinian state as a mandatory condition. Jerusalem categorically rejects such prospects. If the efforts succeed, Saudi Arabia will become the largest Arab country to officially recognize Israel after the 2020 Abraham Accords.