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Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strained relationship with Israel.
Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to mend its strained relationship with Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza may place Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at risk of assassination. According to a report from the American website Politico, the Saudi Crown Prince has expressed concerns to U.S. lawmakers that his pursuit of normalizing relations with Israel, as part of a broader agreement with the U.S., is endangering his life.
Talk with U.S congress members
During talks with U.S. Congress members, the Crown Prince allegedly mentioned Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian leader who was assassinated after making peace with Israel, and inquired about the actions the U.S. took to safeguard him. He also discussed the dangers he faces in advancing the deal, which could incite anger in Arab countries that are already against Israel because of the Gaza conflict.
MBS reportedly emphasized the deep importance of this issue to Saudis and people across the Middle East, noting that his role as the guardian of Islam’s holy sites could be jeopardized if he does not address what he views as a critical issue of justice in the region.
The report suggests that the Crown Prince is deeply concerned about the potential fallout from finalizing a major agreement with the U.S. and Israel, given the significant risks involved. The details of the deal remain largely secret and are still evolving, However, the deal might involve several U.S. commitments to Saudi Arabia, including security assurances, assistance for a civilian nuclear program, and economic investments in key sectors.
Gaza conflict impacted the normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The Gaza conflict has significantly impacted the normalization talks between S. Arabia and Israel. The violence, which began with a major Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has complicated the diplomatic efforts, making it challenging for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to advance the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long sought normalization with Saudi Arabia but faces difficulties due to his stance against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
President Joe Biden has confirmed that Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop a civilian nuclear program and obtain U.S. security guarantees in exchange for fully recognizing Israel.
