Saudi delegation to arrive in Ramallah, meet with Abbas
Israeli media says that the Saudi officials will discuss with the Palestinian president the topic of normalization between Riyadh and the occupation entity.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Saudi capital Riyadh in April 2023 (AP)
A Saudi delegation will arrive in Ramallah in the Occupied West Bank tomorrow to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discuss the topic of normalization between Riyadh and the occupation entity, Israeli media reported on Monday.
The Saudi officials will be led by the newly appointed, non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, the Arab affairs commentator on Channel 13 Hezi Simantov said. Al-Sudairi is the kingdom's first-ever ambassador to the Palestinian Authority and carries out his duties from Jordan.
Read more: Top US, PA envoys to meet in Saudi Arabia... What's on the Horizon?
Regarding the officially announced reason for the visit, Simantov said that the new Saudi envoy "will present his credentials to the Palestinian president."
On the other hand, Palestinian sources indicated that the delegation is considering visiting Al-Aqsa Mosque, but a final decision has not been made yet.
Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, confirmed earlier this month that Saudi Arabia is on a trajectory towards normalizing ties with "Israel."
"Every day we get closer," he said in an interview with Fox News released last Wednesday.
Responding to a question on the requirements of a normalization deal, the de facto Saudi leader claimed that "the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part." Adding that there had been "good negotiations" so far.
Additionally, he expressed Saudi's intent to pursue nuclear capabilities if Iran does so.
Read more: WSJ: Saudi Arabia offers PA funds resumption... but at what cost?
On this matter, Yair Lapid, "Israel's" opposition leader, expressed reservations about Saudi Arabia procuring a nuclear program. Echoing similar sentiments, "Israel's" Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, pointed out that no normalization deal should risk the entity's security, hinting at the possible concessions Saudi might demand.
Israeli reports suggest that Saudi Arabia has outlined stringent terms for normalization. These terms include gaining "Israel's" approval for uranium enrichment, constructing a nuclear facility for peaceful use, and establishing of a US-Saudi defense pact among others.
However, US officials have cautioned that any agreement with these conditions will not be in the near future.
