U.S. and Saudi Arabia near potentially historic security deal
CBSMay 23
Israel, Saudi Arabia Deny Report Claiming 'Breakthrough' in Normalization Talks
Above: Palestinians in Jabalia Camp in Gaza Strip on December 18, 2024. Image copyright: Dawoud Abo Alkas/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Both Israel and Saudi Arabia have denied a recent Haaretz report claiming that Saudi Arabia has conceded its longtime demand for the creation of a Palestinian state as a precondition for normalizing ties with Israel.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Netanyahu has worked and is working against the establishment of a Palestinian state." Saudi Arabia said that no breakthrough has been reached, adding that it was committed to "helping the Palestinian people achieve their right to an independent state."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the war in Gaza has been both tragic and challenging, Israel and Saudi Arabia have a unique opportunity to advance regional peace and stability. A defense pact with Saudi Arabia predicated on normalization with Israel would be a massive strategic victory in countering Iranian influence in the region and preventing Russia or China from gaining undue leverage.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel was the final nail in the coffin for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the enclave has essentially existed as a terrorist-run proto-state run by Hamas. Given the Palestinian Authority's inefficacy, Israel has no partners for peace, and the last 20 years in Gaza prove this. Though normalization with Saudi Arabia would certainly improve Israel's position in the region, it cannot tolerate a violent, terrorist-run Palestinian state.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Saudi normalization with Israel would be a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and would effectively remove any legitimacy the Saudi state has in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Arab states negotiating individual peace deals with Israel have consistently weakened the Palestinian cause and Arab unity — with Israel never actually changing its behavior toward those it occupies. Regional peace can only be achieved after the establishment of a Palestinian state.