Suspended discussions on possible normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel
For several months, the American administration of Joe Biden has worked to promote rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, the recent escalation of the war between Israel and Hamas has disrupted this dynamic. Indeed, a source close to the Saudi government revealed to AFP on Saturday morning that Riyadh had decided to suspend discussions on possible normalization with Israel.
The Saudi kingdom, which plays a crucial role in the Middle East, informed U.S. officials of its decision to suspend those talks. This announcement comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Riyadh as part of his regional tour. The efforts made by the Biden administration to encourage normalization between the two countries are therefore jeopardized by the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Saudi Arabia strongly condemns bombing of defenseless civilians
The situation has indeed deteriorated dramatically since October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel. This attack was followed by brutal reprisals by the Israeli army, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,300 Israelis, mainly civilians. In response, Israeli army raids caused the deaths of around 2,200 Palestinians, the majority of whom are civilians, including 724 children, according to local authorities.
Faced with this bloody escalation, Saudi Arabia took a stand, strongly condemning the bombing of defenseless civilians and emphasizing its opposition to any forced displacement of the population of Gaza. This critical stance towards Israel led Riyadh to suspend normalization discussions with the Jewish state, calling into question hopes of a rapprochement between the two countries.
A regional tour marked by the need to protect civilians
As part of his regional tour, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, stressed the importance of protecting Palestinian civilians while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself. This delicate position reflects the complex tensions in the region and the difficulty of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Although this suspension of normalization discussions between Saudi Arabia and Israel constitutes a major blow to rapprochement efforts between the two countries, it is important to emphasize that the situation is evolving rapidly and that reversals can occur at any time. The geopolitical issues and national interests at stake make the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict all the more complex.
In conclusion, the suspension of normalization discussions between Saudi Arabia and Israel marks a halt to the hopes of rapprochement between the two countries. Increasing violence in the region and Saudi Arabia’s tough stance towards Israel’s actions led Riyadh to make this decision. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a major challenge to stability and peace in the Middle East, a challenge that requires careful consideration and concrete actions from the international community.