U.S. Continues Push for Saudi-Israel Ties Even After Hamas Assault
Israel is planning an offensive in Gaza while President Biden and his team are assessing Saudi Arabia's interest in establishing diplomatic relations.
President Biden's top aides are working to reaffirm their commitment to the potential normalization of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, despite Israel's preparation for a full-scale war against Palestinian militants. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has emphasized that normalization is a choice between regional peace and terrorism carried out by groups like Hamas. However, Blinken also stressed that a diplomatic deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia cannot substitute a two-state solution for the Palestinians. American officials have been unsuccessful in making progress on the two-state solution for decades, leading to a focus on promoting normalization between Israel and Arab nations. Critics argue that this approach has ignored the deep-rooted anti-Israel sentiment among Palestinians. The recent Hamas attack has thrown off negotiations for a three-way normalization deal between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, but US officials remain hopeful that discussions can continue. The Saudi government's response to the attack has surprised and angered American lawmakers who support the negotiations. The outcome of the Israeli military's response to Hamas will likely impact Saudi Arabia's stance on normalization. Some experts believe that the talks and the Abraham Accords have prioritized strengthening alliances with dictatorships and Israel's government over addressing the Palestinian issue. The current Israeli government's inability to deliver on peace concessions further complicates the potential for normalization agreements.