Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, after previously hinting at closer ties with Israel, has now shut down talks of normalization as the Gaza conflict escalates. The Prince’s stronger stance comes amid rising tensions in the region due to the Gaza conflict and recent incidents involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman made it clear that an “independent Palestinian state” is a prerequisite for any potential normalization with Israel. The Prince’s firm stance signifies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.
While the US has been pushing for Saudi-Israeli normalization to stop the Gaza conflict, experts believe that such ties are currently unimaginable for the Saudi public due to the ongoing violence and atrocities against Palestinians. Saudi Arabia’s focus is now on pressuring Israel and the US to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Despite initial talks on normalization for economic reasons, the escalating conflict poses a threat to Saudi Arabia’s development projects and investment prospects. Prince Mohammed’s recent statements reflect the kingdom’s priorities amidst the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2024