Watan-High-level sources have stated that Saudi Arabia is abandoning its primary demand from Israel as a condition for normalization. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly willing to accept an initial commitment from Israel towards establishing a Palestinian state.
According to Hebrew Channel 12, Riyadh is highly interested in strengthening its defense alliance with Washington and will forgo tangible steps from Israel in this regard.
The United States has allegedly informed Israel that there are only two months left to advance the normalization process.
Saudi Arabia is said to agree to relinquish its main demand from Israel in exchange for normalization, as reported by Reuters on Friday.
Some informed sources suggest that Riyadh will settle for a political commitment from Israel to establish a Palestinian state, without necessarily insisting on practical steps in that direction.
The Kingdom will not insist on concrete actions on the ground for Israeli recognition of a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization. Instead, it will suffice with an announcement supporting the two-state solution, according to high-level sources in the Middle East.
According to sources, Riyadh is keen on enhancing a deal that would strengthen a broad defense alliance with the United States, similar to the defense agreement the U.S. has with NATO.
In an article in The Washington Post by esteemed journalist David Ignatius, it is emphasized that the window of time for any normalization process between the countries is narrowing, with the threat of war in Gaza looming.
In the coming days, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to make his fifth visit to the Middle East since the start of the conflict.
Blinken’s sixth tour since the beginning of the war…Normalization at the center of the visit
According to The Washington Post, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken may begin his visit in Saudi Arabia and then proceed to Israel.
The focus of the U.S. Secretary’s visit will be the renewal of talks for normalization.
Just a few days ago, Bloomberg reported that the United States and Saudi Arabia recently renewed talks on establishing a broad defense alliance for the first time since October 7.
The United States has also informed Israel that the normalization process must progress in the next two months, after which the window of time may close.
Due to Saudi Arabia’s high defense demands in the deal, the Biden administration needs Senate approval by June, making it challenging to reinforce the deal closer to the presidential elections in early November.
In recent days, the Biden administration appears to be intensifying efforts to promote its regional vision, including normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank.
According to numerous reports in the recent days in the U.S. media, the Biden administration is preparing to recognize a Palestinian state in an exceptional and unilateral manner.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated several times last week that London is also considering a similar step, which may be implemented after the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza without waiting for an official and permanent end to the war, which, according to Cameron, could take years.
Martin Indyk, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, told The Washington Post, “Biden wants to force Netanyahu to swallow the toad (agree to a deal with Saudi Arabia that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state), or make him vomit the toad” (allowing the formation of another government with opposition members who might agree to the step).