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No normalization with 'Israel' before Gaza ceasefire: Saudi amb. to US

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jan 2024 23:55

The condition of a ceasefire in Gaza is the only obstacle that lies ahead of a potential normalization agreement, the diplomat said.

Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US (SPA file photo)

The Saudi Ambassador to Washington, Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, stated on Thursday that her country is unable to pursue discussions regarding a potential normalization agreement with the Israeli regime before a ceasefire in Gaza comes into force.

"While there is violence on the ground and the killing persists, we cannot talk about the next day," she said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

It is worth noting that the Biden administration has been exerting pressure on Saudi Arabia to push for a normalization deal. In return, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is granted conditions for its completion, including "obtaining security guarantees from Washington and assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program."

As for the escalating tensions in the region and Saudi Arabia's fear of conflict expansion, the ambassador expressed "deep concern" about the escalation that could bring the region "back to the Stone Age," as she said.

During the forum, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan stated that Riyadh remains "certainly" open to the possibility of establishing future relations with "Israel." However, he emphasized the "need for a ceasefire and the establishment of a Palestinian state" before such relations can be considered.

He pointed out the absence of any real signs of approaching the "strategic goal" demanded by "Israel."

Other statements about possible Saudi-Israeli normalisation at Davos

Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated on Thursday at the World Economic Forum's annual conference in the Swiss town of Davos that normalizing relations between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia would be a crucial step toward ending "the conflict with Hamas" and a "game-changer" for the entire Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister stated on Tuesday at Davos that the country may recognize the Israeli regime if a comprehensive peace was reached that included statehood for the Palestinians.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated in front of a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, "We agree that regional peace includes peace for Israel, but that could only happen through peace for the Palestinians through a Palestinian state."

In response to the question of whether Saudi Arabia will then recognize "Israel" as a component of a larger political deal, he replied, "Certainly."

"Something we have been working on with the U.S. administration, and it is more relevant in the context of Gaza," stated Prince Faisal, regarding establishing a Palestinian state as a means of achieving regional peace.

For years, Saudi Arabia has been actively seeking to acquire nuclear technology from the US, but the latter has been reluctant to fulfill these demands.

Washington reportedly offered to provide Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program on the condition that they normalize relations with "Israel."

Whether the US truly intends to provide Saudi Arabia with the desired technology if they normalize relations with "Israel" is up to debate, especially after the Saudi Kingdom restored diplomatic relations with Iran and shifted closer to China in 2023.

On January 9, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK said that a normalization agreement was on the verge of completion when the kingdom suspended US-brokered talks after the Palestinian resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Yesterday, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan outlined four key principles guiding US considerations for a political resolution post-war: preventing Gaza from being a source of "terror attacks on Israel", completing normalization agreements between "Israel" and neighboring Arab countries, establishing a Palestinian state, and providing security assurances for "Israel".