Saudi Arabia puts normalization talks with Israel on hold amid Gaza developments

Published October 14th, 2023 - 02:35 GMT
Saudi Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C), arrives to meet with Saudi Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh(JACQUELYN MARTINPOOL/AFP)

ALBAWABA - In a significant development, Saudi Arabia has decided to suspend its ongoing negotiations for normalization with Israel, citing the unfolding events in Gaza as the reason behind this decision. According to sources closely associated with the Saudi government, this decision reflects the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

It's noteworthy that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on a Middle East tour, and sources confirm his presence in Riyadh. These sources also indicate that Saudi Arabia has officially communicated its choice to freeze potential talks of normalization with Israel to American authorities.

Reliable sources with insight into the matter emphasize that Saudi Arabia has shelved its plans to foster normalized relations with Israel, which had been previously supported by the United States. The Saudi government is now engaging in a rapid review of its foreign policy priorities in light of these developments.

Critical Diplomatic Engagements:

In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman engaged in a pivotal phone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. This conversation, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, marked a notable diplomatic development in the region.

International observers suggest that the ongoing conflict will likely lead to delays in the process of normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with Riyadh possibly leveraging this situation to strengthen its position in negotiations for defense agreements with the United States.

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