U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state are the two key prerequisites for any normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Blinken expressed hope that the administration of President-elect Donald Trump would continue efforts toward achieving this deal. He emphasized that any Saudi-Israeli relationship would aim to ensure long-term stability in the region. However, Riyadh remains firm on its demand for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a condition for initiating diplomatic ties.
Conflicting Reports on Normalization Talks
Earlier reports from the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz claimed a breakthrough in normalization talks between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. However, a Western diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations denied these claims in comments to Arabi21.
Sources privy to the negotiations told Haaretz that, instead of Israel explicitly recognizing a Palestinian state, as previously demanded by Saudi Arabia, the two sides reached an understanding that Israel would provide a vague commitment to a “path toward a Palestinian state.” This would allow Saudi Arabia to maintain its promise of not abandoning the Palestinian cause.
A Western diplomat, who requested anonymity, told Arabi21: “The claims of a breakthrough in Saudi-Israeli normalization talks are inaccurate.” The source added that some reports in Israeli media are often politically motivated, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia continues to insist on a clear commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state before moving forward with normalization.
Arab and Islamic Summits Reinforce Palestinian Conditions
In November, the joint summit of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh reiterated that there can be no peace with Israel unless it withdraws from all Arab territories occupied since the June 4, 1967 borders. The summit also called for mobilizing international support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The summit’s final statement condemned the “Israeli aggression on Lebanon and Gaza,” urging an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and prisoners. Hamas called on Arab and Islamic nations to implement the summit’s resolutions and pressure Israel to halt its “aggression.”
The United Nations recognizes the Golan Heights, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip as occupied territories.
The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative
The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, adopted during a historic summit in Beirut, laid the foundation for a comprehensive peace plan. The initiative proposed ending the Arab-Israeli conflict and establishing normal relations with Israel in exchange for:
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- A full Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories.
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- Acceptance of an independent Palestinian state with sovereignty over territories occupied since June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
During the Riyadh summit, Israel’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar dismissed the prospect of a sovereign Palestinian state, calling it “unrealistic today.”
