KSA rejects US request to condemn Palestinian Resistance operation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Oct 2023 05:56
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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan declines a US request to condemn the recent Hamas operation and temporarily suspends the US-supported initiative for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with "Israel".

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Furhan Al-Saud arrives to address the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at United Nations headquarters. (AP)

Washington reportedly urged Riyadh this week to condemn Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Hamas on October 7, but Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan declined this request.

The recent operation and the Israeli aggression that followed it prompted Saudi Arabia and Iran to establish communication channels for the first time since a Chinese-brokered initiative led to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties in April.

Saudi Arabia emphasized its efforts to engage with international and regional parties to de-escalate the situation during the call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

KSA pauses potential normalization talks with "Israel"

Saudi Arabia is pausing US-supported initiatives to normalize relations with "Israel", according to two sources with knowledge of Riyadh's stance. This pause reflects a swift reassessment of foreign policy priorities as the Israeli aggression on Gaza continues.

The recent developments have compelled Saudi Arabia to engage with Iran. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held his first conversation with Raisi, as Riyadh seeks to prevent further escalations in the region.

Sources informed Reuters that the US-backed talks on normalization with "Israel" will experience delays, which were a crucial step for Saudi Arabia in securing a US defense pact in return. On that note, sources highlighted that both Israeli and Saudi leaders had indicated steady progress toward a potential normalization agreement, before the launching of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood by the Hamas resistance group.

The initial source familiar with Riyadh's perspective stated that discussions cannot continue for now, but highlighted that the idea has not been completely abandoned.

The Saudi government did not respond to requests for comment.

This reconsideration underscores the challenges facing US efforts to further integrate "Israel" into a region where the Palestinian cause remains a significant concern. "Normalization was already considered taboo (in the Arab world)... this war only amplifies that," noted Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian.