Saudi Arabia urges US to exclude Israel from Mideast deal, report

Riyadh seeks a more modest agreement with the US amid expectation that the cease-fire talks would fail and the fighting would continue, preventing normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel
Itamar Eichner|
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The British Guardian reported on Wednesday that Washington and Riyadh were discussing a modest agreement between them, in case normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel was not possible, in the absence of a cease-fire in Gaza. According to the report, the main issue revolves around the establishment of a Palestinian state.
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Netanyahu, Biden and bin Salman
Netanyahu, Biden and bin Salman
Netanyahu, Biden and bin Salman
(Photo: Reuters, AP, Yonatan Zindel)
The Saudi "Plan B" will include three main provisions: a bilateral defense pact, a civilian nuclear program, and economic cooperation. As part of the civilian nuclear program, Saudi Arabia would not be allowed to enrich uranium on its soil to prevent it from producing nuclear weapons.
The Guardian also reported that Riyadh offered Israel normalization in exchange for the acceptance of a two-state solution which will bring about the establishment of a Palestinian state. According to the alternative proposal, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia deal would not depend on the Israeli government's progress toward normalization.
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Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that without a cease-fire in Gaza, there was little chance for a normalization agreement. "The work that Saudi Arabia, the United States have been doing together in terms of our own agreements, I think, is potentially very close to completion, but then in order to move forward with normalization, two things will be required: calm in Gaza and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state," Blinken said in Saudi Arabia.
The secretary emphasized the benefit of achieving normalization with every country in the region to oppose Hamas and Iran who do not want a two-state solution. He believes that establishing a Palestinian state would rebuke everything they represent and undermine their efforts in the region.
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3.
Oh please...
Mr. secretary forgot how arab countries voted against the two states when Israel was founded; the Palestinian state for its part did not materialize because the Saudi monarchy was one of the most fervent instigators against Israel. Now quite interesting the rethoric though
G@dler| 05.29.24
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SA will cooperate with Israel when in its own interests
Israel and Saudi Arabia are already quietly cooperating on a number of matters deemed of mutual interest. What would "normalization" add to that, except bring it into the open? The Saudi populace will never warm to Israel, due to the fundamentalism underpinning the culture. There's way more popular support for Israel in Iran than will likely ever be found in Saudi Arabia. There's absolutely no reason for Israel to sacrifice its own base interests for a superficial and likely fleeting public engagement.
Raymond in DC| 05.13.24
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Israel DOES NOT need Saudi Arabia
05.01.24
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