Reuters: Saudi Arabia has one condition for normalization relation with Israel
Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia may be moving towards normalization its relationship with Israel on only one condition: that the United States commit to signing a binding defense agreement.
Reuters reported, based on sources familiar with the normalization negotiations, that if this condition is met, relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel may develop towards normalization without considering other requirements related to the issue of Palestinian rights.
Reuters indicated that obtaining a defense agreement with the United States may encourage Saudi Arabia to engage in further normalization with Israel, even if Israel doesn’t make major concessions towards the Palestinians to establish an independent state.
US sources indicated that the prospective agreement may be similar to the agreements concluded by the United States with Asian countries, or it may be in the form of an agreement similar to the US-Bahraini agreement, in which Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which doesn’t require Congressional approval.
The source stresses that Saudi Arabia will only accept binding guarantees from the United States to protect it if it’s attacked, pointing to the importance of providing protection for the largest oil producer in the world.
Signing an agreement granting US protection to Saudi Arabia in exchange for normalization with Israel could be a historic step that could reshape the political arena in the Middle East and strengthen relations between Riyadh and Washington.
This diplomatic achievement can be considered a major success for US President Joe Biden before the presidential elections in 2024.
In conclusion, there were no official comments from the Saudi government or the US State Department on this subject.
