The UN was the scene of an important statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Indeed, during his speech to the General Assembly, he welcomed the progress towards a “historic peace” between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This announcement is all the more remarkable given that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also recently expressed optimism about the normalization of relations between the two countries.
This diplomatic development is the result of efforts made in recent years to bring Israel closer to Arab countries. Netanyahu notably recalled the normalization of relations with three Arab countries in 2020, a step he described as a “new era”. According to him, these advances could facilitate the search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by encouraging other Arab countries to normalize their relations with Israel.
However, the Israeli leader stressed that the Palestinians should not have a veto over new peace deals with Arab countries. He believes that the Palestinians also have much to gain from broader peace and must actively participate in such a process.
This speech comes in a context marked by persistent tensions between Israel and Iran. Netanyahu reaffirmed the need to confront the Iranian nuclear threat and expressed his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This declaration generates certain hope about the possibility of lasting peace in the Middle East. However, there are still many obstacles to overcome, notably the question of the self-determination of the Palestinian people which remains crucial.
In conclusion, Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the UN underline the promising progress towards a “historic peace” between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, it is important to remain cautious and continue working to find a fair and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.