Israel’s president pushes for ‘normalization’ of ties with Riyadh
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday called for efforts to reach an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
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According to the Times of Israel, Herzog revealed at a conference organized by the Israel Democracy Institute that, during a recent meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, he was told that “there is an option for normalization with Saudi Arabia.”
“This would be a tremendous change and a historic turning point that would be a victory over the ‘axis of evil.’ I hope this possibility is being considered very seriously, because the ‘axis of evil’ tried to destroy the possibility of normalization on October 7 [2023],” he said, referring to attacks carried out by the Hamas terror group.
“Our struggle, ultimately, is not just against Hamas. It’s a much broader, strategic, global, historic battle, and we have to do everything we can to integrate it into the global vision of normalization,” Herzog said, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his refusal to accept a Palestinian state, even if it meant normalizing ties with Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has long conditioned normalization on Israel recognizing a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Sullivan met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday to discuss a “roadmap” for a “strategic framework” between the two countries on peace and security, which would include normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Saudi Arabia is one of several United Nations member states that do not recognize the State of Israel.
Other countries that do not recognize Israel include several Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, as well as Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela.
Before the current round of fighting began following the October 7 terror attacks, Israeli officials had said that they were “close” to a “breakthrough” with Riyadh.
Bin Salman himself acknowledged on September 21, 2023, that normalization was “getting closer,” though those efforts appeared to have stalled after the Israeli offensive in Gaza began.
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