Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, stated on Tuesday that the kingdom could consider recognizing Israel if a comprehensive agreement is achieved, including the establishment of statehood for the Palestinians. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of peace for both Israel and the Palestinians, with a specific focus on the creation of a Palestinian state.
When questioned about potential recognition as part of a broader political deal, Prince Faisal responded affirmatively, stating, “Certainly.” He highlighted ongoing efforts with the U.S. administration, particularly in the context of Gaza, as part of the pursuit of regional peace through a two-state solution.
The article notes that securing normalization with Saudi Arabia would be a significant milestone for Israel, following diplomatic ties established with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. However, plans for normalization with Saudi Arabia were reportedly put on hold after the conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October.
The delay in talks on normalizing Saudi-Israel ties, seen as a key step for Saudi Arabia to potentially secure a U.S. defense pact, resulted from the reordering of diplomatic priorities. Before the conflict, both Israeli and Saudi leaders had signaled progress towards establishing diplomatic relations.
The Palestinians’ aspirations for statehood, based on the territories captured in the 1967 war with East Jerusalem as their capital, remain a central issue. Past negotiations with Israel under U.S. sponsorship stalled more than a decade ago, facing challenges such as Israeli settlements and internal conflicts among Palestinian authorities.
Prince Faisal reiterated the commitment to a peaceful future for the region, emphasizing the need for justice for the Palestinian people. The article concludes by mentioning concerns about wider regional instability due to the conflict in Gaza, including tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border and attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq by pro-Iranian militias. The article also notes disruptions in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, who link their actions to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
