Saudi Arabia has scaled back its pursuit of a US defense treaty linked to normalization with Israel, now seeking a more modest agreement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman insists on Palestinian statehood as a condition for normalization, complicating Israel’s interest in historical acceptance. As tensions rise, both nations aim for a limited defense pact before President Biden’s term concludes.
In a notable shift, Saudi Arabia has shifted away from pursuing a defense treaty with the United States that would have facilitated normalization with Israel. Sources indicate that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman insists that any engagement with Israel is contingent upon the advancement of an independent Palestinian state, a commitment grounded in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. This has prompted Riyadh to seek a more modest defense agreement with Washington, as reported by multiple officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains keen on achieving normalization with Saudi Arabia, which would signify a historic acceptance within the Arab sphere. However, any movement towards a two-state solution poses a threat to his ruling coalition, complicating diplomatic efforts. Consequently, Riyadh and Washington are aiming to finalize a limited defense pact before President Biden potentially exits the White House in January 2025, as suggested by the informed officials.
Earlier in the year, reports indicated that Saudi Arabia sought a comprehensive defense treaty with the US alongside improved access to military resources and a cooperative nuclear initiative as conditions for normalization with Israel. Yet, the steadfast Saudi stance holds that normalization must be explicitly linked to commitments regarding a Palestinian state, a condition that Israel has thus far rejected outright.
Recent developments have led to Saudi Arabia advocating for a simpler defense pact with the United States, distancing from its initial proposal of a broader normalization arrangement. This shift has occurred amidst various geopolitical tensions, including a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which has faced multiple violations. President Biden has expressed support for the ceasefire and reiterated the United States’ commitment to promoting peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of establishing a credible path toward a Palestinian state.
The complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics have long been centered around the Israel-Palestine conflict, with numerous international actors, including the United States, seeking to mediate and find resolutions. Saudi Arabia’s evolving position reflects broader regional dynamics and the enduring Palestinian struggle for statehood, which remains central to any normalization agreements between Arab states and Israel. The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative serves as a foundational reference point in this discourse, wherein Arab states pledged to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for progress towards establishing a viable Palestinian state. Recent analyses suggest that Israel’s inflexible stance regarding Palestinian statehood has hindered potential agreements, prompting Saudi Arabia to recalibrate its strategy in seeking a defense arrangement with the US independent of immediate normalization initiatives with Israel.
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s decision to retreat from its original pursuit of a defense treaty with the United States as a means to normalize relations with Israel underscores the complicated interplay of regional politics. The insistence on Palestinian statehood remains a pivotal factor in Riyadh’s foreign policy, potentially impeding prospects for broader peace in the region. As diplomatic efforts continue, the focus appears to shift towards establishing a more limited defense pact with Washington, signifying a pragmatic approach amidst stalled negotiations.
Original Source: thecradle.co
