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Netanyahu talks of possible normalization link with Saudi Arabia

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Feb 2023 13:46

This comes in light of a recent visit made by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to "Israel" to meet with Israeli officials and discuss regional security issues considered to be a common concern, including Iran.

Israeli occupation's Prime Minister speaking during the Conference Of Presidents in Al-Quds. (Facebook)

During the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish-American Organizations held in Al-Quds on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the normalization of relations between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia would "launch a historic change in 'Israel's' position in the Middle East."

While discussing Iran, Netanyahu stressed that "Israel" and Saudi Arabia would join forces on the basis of a common "goal of stopping Iran," as per his speech statements cited in a report published by the Jerusalem Post.

"This [normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel] is a goal that we are working on in parallel with the goal of stopping Iran, the two are intertwined," Netanyahu said at the conference, noting that "the Arab world recognizes the primacy of the Iranian threat," which he views as the main drive for normalization across the Arab region.

Moreover, the Prime Minister emphasized that a possible peace with Saudi Arabia would unfold a multitude of mutually beneficial economic opportunities for "Israel" and the rest of the region.

This comes in light of a recent visit made by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to "Israel" to meet with Israeli officials to talk about regional security issues considered to be a common concern, including Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations:
"In case you haven't noticed, Israel is in the midst of a little thing on judicial reform.

I'd like to speak to you on it at length and to tell you why you shouldn't worry. pic.twitter.com/q58s9DPCeU
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 19, 2023

Ever since the normalization accords were signed in 2020 with the mediation of the US, talks about a possible normalization have been picking up speed.

On March 22, 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman said, “We do not view 'Israel' as an enemy, but rather as a potential ally in the many interests that we can pursue together, but some issues must be resolved before we can reach that."

Moreover, the US has been involved in negotiations over the past year to facilitate the purchase of strategic Saudi islands by "Israel."

The improvement of relations between the two US allies has raised serious concerns that Riyadh may inevitably change its stance on Palestine, sources reported.

On January 17, an Israeli journalist described the current state of relations between Saudi Arabia and "Israel" as closer than ever.

Israeli journalist Henrique Zimmermann told the Israeli i24 news website, "Within the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and 'Israel', we are witnessing the presence of a Jewish community in Riyadh and an activity of Israeli businessmen who have been working for some time in the kingdom."

"The Israeli prime minister surprised the international community in August 2020 by establishing (normalization) relations with the UAE, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain. These countries would not have signed the agreement without the approval of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is the most influential country in the Arab world," Zimmermann confirmed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously told CNN, that "The Abraham Accords [normalization agreements] would not have taken place without tacit Saudi approval."