In a significant development on Capitol Hill, a contingent of twenty United States senators, all representing the Democratic party, conveyed their endorsement for a prospective Israeli-Saudi normalization accord. However, this support came with a caveat – an array of reservations regarding security assurances and nuclear assistance being extended to Riyadh.
In an official letter addressed to President Joe Biden, these senators underscored the potential hurdles that the White House might encounter within Congress if it were to facilitate a groundbreaking diplomatic entente between Saudi Arabia and Israel in exchange for meeting Riyadh’s demands.
While negotiations appear to be progressing, it is imperative to note that U.S. officials have issued a cautionary note, emphasizing that substantial groundwork remains to be done.
Among the nuanced recommendations put forth by President Biden’s Democratic colleagues is the insistence that any forthcoming agreement must encompass “meaningful” provisions aimed at safeguarding the viability of a two-state solution to the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is widely anticipated that Israel’s right-wing administration will be resistant to making substantial concessions to the Palestinian cause.
For decades, achieving peace between Israel and its neighboring nations has been a steadfast objective of U.S. foreign policy. The senators conveyed an overarching sentiment of receptivity toward any agreement that could potentially deepen the political, cultural, and economic interconnections between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, their reservations emanate from concerns regarding the specific aspirations of the Saudi side.
Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a steadfast determination to secure a military covenant, requiring the United States to provide defense commitments in exchange for fostering diplomatic ties with Israel. Importantly, sources within the region assert that Riyadh remains unwavering in its pursuit of this pact, even in the event that Israel refrains from making substantial concessions to further the Palestinian cause’s pursuit of statehood.
By Reuters
