Herzog Urges Saudi Arabia to Normalize Relations with Israel; This is a 'Clear Victory' Against Hamas

The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, urged Saudi Arabia to normalize its relations with Israel during the Munich Security Conference, calling this action a 'victory against Hamas.' Herzog stated that one of Hamas's objectives in its attack on Israel on October 7 was to disrupt negotiations for establishing relations with Riyadh. He argued that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would be a 'clear victory' over Hamas. He confirmed his meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, mentioning that Qatar is making 'significant efforts' to secure the release of hostages. Herzog expressed concern over the lack of medical supplies for the hostages. He also referred to the discovery of a book titled 'The End of the Jews' by Israeli forces in Gaza, written by Mahmoud al-Zahar, one of the founders of Hamas, which praises the Holocaust and justifies the persecution of Jews in Europe while extolling the Nazis. The book includes chapters with titles such as 'The Burning Hatred of the World Against Jews,' 'The Public Corruption of Jews,' and 'Reasons for the Expulsion of Jews.' On Tuesday, February 6, Saudi Arabia announced that it would not establish any diplomatic relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The Saudi Foreign Ministry, in a statement, referred to discussions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States regarding the Arab-Israeli peace process, emphasizing that Riyadh has informed Washington of its firm position, stating that until a Palestinian state is recognized within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and Israeli attacks on Gaza cease, no diplomatic relations will be established with Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed 'regional coordination' to end the war in Gaza and the 'urgent need to reduce regional tensions' in a meeting lasting over two hours on Monday, February 5. Reuters reported on Friday, September 29, citing several informed sources, that Saudi Arabia is determined to initiate diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for a defense pact with the United States. Three Middle Eastern sources told Reuters that if such an agreement is reached, the Palestinians would receive concessions, but their demand for an independent state would still not be fulfilled. Netanyahu accused critics of undermining Israel in its war with Hamas, stating that even if an agreement is reached, they will enter Rafah. The article also discusses comparisons of military arsenals between Israel and Hezbollah amid increasing likelihood of an escalation in the Middle Eastern war, CENTCOM's report on the destruction of militant weapons, the continued missile attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, and Blinken's assertion of a 'tremendous' opportunity for Israel's integration into the Middle East. The future of Gaza was also discussed in Munich, with talks involving U.S. and European Arab foreign ministers.