Peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel is contingent on assistance from Washington in developing the Saudi civilian nuclear program and the provision of security guarantees, according to a Thursday exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal citing discussions between the two countries.
The report said lawmakers at the US Capitol would oppose such demands.
Upon being asked by the Italian newspaper la Repubblica if the Abraham Accords would include Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they will “evolve” and that “others will follow, especially if we have the adhesion of Saudi Arabia. But it has to be a Saudi choice.”
Former US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro said it would be “a very tough Gordian knot to cut,” referring to the possible deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Journal quoted him as saying.
A Bloomberg report from mid-February said Israel and Saudi Arabia were reportedly developing closer military and intelligence ties and shared concerns over Iran.
Relations with the United States
Since US President Biden has argued with Saudi Arabia over oil prices, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in Yemen, a deal would “mark a diplomatic victory” for Biden, the Journal reported. Normalization between Riyadh and Jerusalem could encourage other Arab and Muslim nations to follow and accelerate “US-led efforts to create a regional military alliance to counter Iran,” the report said.
Previously, Saudi Arabia maintained that peace with Israel could only be possible once Palestinians and Israelis reached a two-state solution.