Netanyahu: Normalizing ties with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia top priority

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
20 Nov 2022 14:25
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Israeli Prime Minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, says his goal is to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and confront the "Iranian nuclear threat."

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu hinted, on Saturday, that one of his main goals in the coming period would be to normalize ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

It was reported that Netanyahu said in an interview with the Republican Jewish Alliance held in Las Vegas that his goal is to "include new countries" in the normalization agreements, before adding, "especially one more country."

Netanyahu said "I was exceptionally lucky to finally work with an American administration headed by President Trump who agreed with our policy, and this led to four peace agreements," adding, "This happened because we bypassed the Palestinians. The goal is to end the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the Palestinians will be the last to realize that they too need to recognize a state, the Jewish one."

In 2015, Netanyahu made a decision to address Congress, contrary to the White House's position regarding the Iranian nuclear program. To prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons," Netanyahu argued that he would do everything he could even if that means "standing our ground against an incumbent administration."

Netanyahu: Normalization agreements concluded due to Saudi approval

Earlier in October, the Likud leader said that normalization with KSA will be the main goal during his next term.

Israeli media quoted Netanyahu's words, which came during an interview with CNN, as saying that "The Abraham Accords [normalization agreements] would not have taken place without tacit Saudi approval."

Last July, Israeli media relayed the appreciation of the leader of the Israeli opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu, to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, for his contribution to the completion of the four so-called "Abraham Accords"[normalization agreements].

Netanyahu said that in case he assumes leadership once again, then he intends to achieve full "peace agreements" with Saudi Arabia, as well as with other Arab states.

Netanyahu's covert visit to Saudi Arabia

In November 2020, Israeli media revealed a visit by Netanyahu and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen where they met the Saudi Crown Prince in the Saudi city of Neom, in the presence of former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

In November 2021, Israeli media quoted a source linked to senior officials in Saudi Arabia as saying that the meeting between the back then Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was not the first, which provoked Saudi discontent, according to Israeli media outlets.

Israeli media said at the time that "the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, agreed to publish the news of the meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in order to know how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world would react."

Earlier this year, 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."

It is noteworthy that the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan signed normalization agreements with the occupation under US auspices in mid-September 2020.