Reports The Atlantic Recent, the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the Palestinian issue is not one of concern for him personally. The latest revelation further underlines how Saudi Arabia continues to pursue normalization ties with Israel, even as it tries to cozy up to various regional players.
The crown prince emphasized that while he may not make it a personal priority, the younger generation of Saudi Arabia puts great importance on the Palestinian issue. He underscored the need to take their sentiments into account in continuing discussions.
While privately stating that he does not believe Saudi Arabia will formally recognize Israel until a Palestinian state is realized, publicly he has kept up the same stance. He reiterates that Saudi efforts will continue toward the achievement of a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Normalization talks have been hindered by conflict in Gaza. Entering into a peace treaty without serious contemplation invites tragedy of the highest caliber, even risking his own life for sure, he declared recalling some earlier precedents like Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
Meanwhile, at the grassroots, the Palestinian leadership has received powerful support from within Saudi Arabia as well: some 90% of Saudis are against relations with Israel. Reports have recently appeared that the Saudi government launched a campaign against Palestinian solidarity within the kingdom, though other officials, including Prince Turki al-Faisal, deny severe limitations on public expressions of solidarity for Palestine.
As normalization talks continue, many wonder what the leadership in Saudi will do in this complicated, high-stakes international setting.
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