With the return of Donald Trump to the White House and hopes for a swift resolution to the Gaza conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is eager to restart efforts for normalizing relations with Arab nations. During Trump’s first term (2017-2021), the U.S. played a crucial role in facilitating the Abraham Accords, which led to normalization agreements between Israel and four Arab nations—UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Netanyahu hinted at more agreements in the future during his speech in Israel’s Knesset on December 23.
Next Target: Saudi Arabia
Following the initial Abraham Accords, Israel’s next goal was to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. However, the October 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war disrupted these plans. Public sentiment in the Arab world shifted sharply against Israel due to the ongoing conflict, with Saudi Arabia making it clear that any normalization with Israel would require an end to the war and a significant commitment to Palestinian statehood. Despite this, reports suggest that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have softened his stance on the issue of Palestinian statehood.
Potential for Saudi-Israeli Deal Without Palestinian Statehood
Amid these developments, Netanyahu is laying the groundwork for a potential normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. He hinted that the Saudi-Israeli deal may not be entirely dependent on the issue of Palestinian statehood. “I’m telling you there’ll be more agreements,” Netanyahu declared, praising the existing Abraham Accords and suggesting that Arab countries are shifting their attitudes toward Israel. While acknowledging the ongoing challenges of the Palestinian issue, he emphasized, “There is a change” in Arab perspectives. Netanyahu further explained that many Arab nations now view Israel as a regional power and potential security ally.
Saudi Arabia’s Stance on Palestinian Statehood
Saudi Arabia has long maintained that a clear, irreversible path to Palestinian statehood is essential for any normalization of ties with Israel. In January, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood was a necessary precondition for any deal. However, recent reports indicate that Saudi Arabia may be open to accepting a less explicit commitment from Israel, such as a vague acknowledgment of “a path towards Palestinian statehood.” Netanyahu’s supporters believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is more focused on securing domestic political and religious backing for normalization than on achieving full recognition of a Palestinian state.
