Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggested on Tuesday that talks regarding the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel would continue even after the conclusion of the Israel-Gaza conflict, according to a readout from the White House.
The readout highlighted that President Joe Biden and Crown Prince Salman emphasized the importance of working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians once the crisis subsides. This would build upon the progress made in recent months between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The reference to the "work of recent months" alludes to the discussions that took place prior to Hamas' invasion of southern Israel on October 7th. These talks reportedly included concessions from Israel towards the Palestinians, security guarantees from the United States, and an agreement for a Saudi nuclear program, as noted by the United States Institute of Peace.
President Biden had previously suggested that one of Hamas' objectives in attacking Israel was to disrupt the ongoing normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The White House readout acknowledged that both Biden and Salman agreed to make efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating further and to maintain stability in the region. Additionally, they called for the immediate release of hostages by Hamas and expressed appreciation for the humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza.
The implications of Crown Prince Salman's remarks indicate a potential continuation of the dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Israel, even in the aftermath of the Israel-Gaza conflict. This suggests a willingness on the part of Saudi Arabia to pursue diplomatic relations with Israel, which could have significant implications for the broader Middle East region.
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