Report Says US to Move Forward With Saudi Deal Without Israel

A senior Washington official, in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s visit to West Asia, has stated that they would move forward with the deal with Saudi Arabia without the involvement of Israel.

As per the Israeli media report, the official had met with the families of hostages in Gaza. During the meeting, the official had said that Trump is increasingly frustrated with Israel for their stance on stalling the ceasefire talks.

The US administration has now decided to move forward with the Saudi deal regardless of Israel’s position. The Jerusalem Post had also reported that Israel will have to face “a much heavier price” if it continues to oppose a ceasefire deal. “The ceasefire agreement with the Houthis is just a prelude. If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Millennium’ will happen without it,” it added.

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The proposed Saudi-US deal aims to normalise ties between Tel Aviv and Riyadh brokered by Washington. This move would bring in a historic diplomatic shift in the region.

The agreement would see Saudi Arabia formally recognising Israel. The controversial 2020 Abraham Accords bring forth the same clauses, including several Arab nations agreeing to normalise diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with Israel.

By consenting to it, the agreement would sideline the long-held demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territory which was outlined in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. And in return, the US would offer Saudi a defence pact and access to advanced weapons, while urging Riyadh to back away from its growing ties with China and Russia.

Another pillar of the deal includes US support for a Saudi civil nuclear programme, though disagreements over uranium enrichment remain unresolved.

Though Saudi had originally insisted on a two-state solution, as per the reports, by agreeing to the deal, they would settle for symbolic concessions such as freezing settlement expansion.

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Meanwhile, after the meeting with the families of captives, some of the attendees criticised the official’s blunt tone from the official who is often referred to as Israel’s closest diplomatic ally.

The official also echoed concerns from the families that ongoing Israeli military operations could endanger the captives in the meeting.