Saudi Arabia desires key steps toward normalization: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
9 Aug 2023 11:59

Israeli media say Saudi Arabia conveyed a message to the US and "Israel", in which it stated that it did not want small steps on the way to normalization.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jeddah, on June 7, 2023 (AP)

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the security and military establishment is mapping out a position regarding the security framework of the normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli channel Kan political affairs commentator, Gili Cohen, explained that the Israeli security and military establishment is monitoring the discussions between the US administration and senior officials in Saudi Arabia over a huge arms deal that includes advanced systems, and in turn, paves the way for the path of normalization.

Cohen revealed that in recent weeks, Saudi Arabia had conveyed a message to the United States and "Israel", in which it stated that it did not want small steps on the way to normalization, but rather important ones, that is, a big package that includes weapons.

Regarding these discussions, the Israeli commentator indicated that the US administration has been committed for years to the qualitative superiority of the Israeli military over the armies of the region, pointing out that the US transfer of advanced weapons systems to Saudi Arabia will affect "Israel".

Cohen suggested that if this happens "Israel must obtain advanced weapon systems in return, in order to maintain the qualitative superiority of the Israeli army."

Israeli media had reported that Saudi Arabia stipulated that it obtain a nuclear program in return for normalizing relations with the Israeli occupation. It said that the kingdom is setting impossible conditions for the normalization of relations, including obtaining "Israel's" consent to enrich uranium, build a nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes, and establish a security alliance between Riyadh and Washington, among other conditions.

In late July, The Washington Post reported that US President Joe Biden dispatched National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to Saudi Arabia for talks on the normalization process with "Israel" with the Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

The newspaper suggested that "a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, the most powerful and wealthy Arab state, has the potential to reshape the region and boost Israel’s standing in historic ways."

However, The Post mentioned that "brokering such a deal is a heavy lift as the kingdom has said it won’t officially recognize Israel before a resolution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

It is noteworthy that in June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Saudi Arabia to promote normalization between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia, as per the newspaper. During Blinken's recent visit, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan said normalization with "Israel" would have "limited benefits" if not preceded by a "pathway to peace for the Palestinian people."

According to The Washington Post, the Saudis have shown "hesitance to proceed with normalizing relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history."