Saudi Arabia has conveyed its continued interest in establishing a friendship and normalization of relations with Israel after the recent conflict in Gaza comes to an end, as confirmed by White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby during a recent press briefing.
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the Biden administration had been actively promoting a comprehensive agreement involving Saudi Arabia, which would encompass a landmark peace accord between the Kingdom and Israel.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Khalid bin Salman (KBS), is presently in Washington, engaging in discussions with senior officials from the Biden administration amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza. KBS held a meeting with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday, where they addressed the situation in Gaza, stressing the critical need for increased humanitarian support for the people in the region.
Furthermore, both parties highlighted the significance of working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians, building upon the substantial progress achieved during recent months in discussions between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
KBS, in a tweet, emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, safeguarding civilian lives, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and restarting the peace process. John Kirby, responding to the talks, conveyed the administration’s confidence that there is a viable path to resume the normalization process with Saudi Arabia.
While acknowledging the current complexities posed by the conflict in Gaza, Kirby underscored the unwavering commitment of both sides to the normalization process. The Saudi Embassy in Washington has not yet provided a response to Kirby’s statements.
Recently, a bipartisan congressional delegation, led by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), visited Saudi Arabia and held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The senators reportedly received a message from Saudi officials reaffirming their continued interest in pursuing a normalization agreement with Israel.
In a call between President Biden and MBS, both leaders stressed the importance of working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians, once the current crisis has subsided. Biden expressed his personal conviction, despite having no concrete evidence, that Hamas may have initiated the attacks on Israel in an attempt to disrupt the progress being made towards an Israel-Saudi deal.
