Saudi Arabia: Relations with Israel Will Not Normalize Without Resolving Palestinian Issues

The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, stated in an interview with CNN aired on Sunday, January 21, that relations with Israel cannot be normalized without resolving the Palestinian issue. In response to a question about whether relations with Israel would not normalize without a pathway to the establishment of a credible and irreversible Palestinian state, he said, "This is the only way that everyone will benefit. Therefore, yes, because we need stability, and stability can only be achieved through resolving the Palestinian issue." Earlier, on Tuesday, January 16, he mentioned at a meeting in Davos at the World Economic Forum that if a comprehensive agreement including the establishment of a Palestinian state is reached, Riyadh could recognize Israel. Prince Faisal emphasized that "regional peace also includes peace for Israel, but this is only possible through establishing peace for the Palestinians via [the formation of] a Palestinian state." In response to whether Saudi Arabia recognizes Israel as part of a broader political agreement, he said, "Definitely." Prince Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia has been working with the U.S. government to achieve peace in the region through the establishment of a Palestinian state. He stated, "In the context of [the war in] Gaza, this issue [peace through the establishment of a Palestinian state] is even more relevant." Two sources familiar with Riyadh's positions indicated that following the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel last October, Saudi Arabia halted U.S.-backed plans to normalize relations with Israel and changed its diplomatic priorities. Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in a terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, and took around 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly, to Gaza. The U.S., U.K., European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be a significant step for Riyadh to secure a major defense agreement from the U.S. U.S. Secretary of State: Israel will not achieve "real security" without establishing a Palestinian state. Saudi Arabia: Resolving the Palestinian issue paves the way for Israel's recognition. Coalition airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen; Saudi Arabia calls for restraint. New residency programs in Saudi Arabia to attract foreign talents.