Watan – In the ever-evolving tapestry of Middle Eastern geopolitics, the sudden disappearance of Mohammed Saud, a prominent Saudi advocate for Israel-Saudi normalization, stands out starkly. As he vanished just before his slated appearance on Israel’s Channel 14, the diplomatic community has been abuzz with speculation and concern.
Israeli media corridors are filled with theories. Many believe that the Saudi government might have intervened, possibly alarmed by Saud’s clear pro-Israel sentiments. This speculation gains weight considering Saud’s recent move to invite Israeli Minister of Information, Shlomo Qara’i, to Riyadh for the Jewish festival, “Sukkot.”
Expectations ran high for Saud’s participation in Channel 14’s special celebration of the Jewish holiday. Despite the channel’s promotional blitz, reports from Israeli journalists suggest Saud has become unreachable, causing alarm among his Israeli acquaintances.
Sources from Israel highlight the eerie silence from Saud’s end. Efforts to contact him have hit a wall, and his Riyadh home, despite the presence of his car, seems devoid of its owner.
Roy Kais, who oversees Arab affairs at “Kan,” weighed in, saying, “We can’t determine the exact reasons for Saud’s disappearance or confirm his arrest. Yet, the idea of Riyadh’s involvement isn’t far-fetched.”
Saud’s past engagements with Israeli figures, notably sanctioned by the Saudi echelons, have been meticulously documented. His audacious overture to Minister Qara’i and the subsequent 2019 episode at the Al-Aqsa Mosque underscore the delicate tightrope of diplomacy that figures like Saud tread.
The normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel seems to be gradually moving towards an official declaration, especially after recent statements by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an interview with “Fox News.” He confirmed that Saudi Arabia is steadily moving towards normalizing relations with Israel. Several official Israeli delegations have visited Saudi Arabia recently. Israeli Minister of Communications Shlomo Qara’i was one of the recent visitors, attending a United Nations conference.
Haim Katz, the Israeli Minister of Tourism, also visited Saudi Arabia, making him the first openly visiting Israeli minister in KSA.