If the Palestinian issue is settled, Saudi Arabia might recognize Israel

The ambitious remarks came as the conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister stated on Tuesday that the country may recognize Israel if a comprehensive peace were reached that included statehood for the Palestinians.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated in front of a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, “We agree that regional peace includes peace for Israel, but that could only happen through peace for the Palestinians through a Palestinian state.”

If Saudi Arabia were to recognize Israel as part of a broader political accord, he would most certainly say, “Certainly.”

The establishment of a Palestinian state as a means of guaranteeing regional peace is “something we have been indeed working on with the US administration, and it is more relevant in the context of Gaza,” according to Prince Faisal.

After Israel established diplomatic connections with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, securing a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia would be the ultimate prize and might change the Middle East’s geopolitics.

The most powerful nation in the Arab world and the owner of the most revered sites in Islam, the Sunni Muslim kingdom has significant religious influence all over the world.

Following the October battle between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian organization in control of Gaza, Saudi Arabia swiftly rearranged its diplomatic priorities, shelved US-backed plans for the kingdom to restore relations with Israel, according to two people familiar with Riyadh’s thinking.

The US-backed negotiations to normalize Saudi-Israeli relations, which are viewed as a crucial step for the kingdom to obtain what it views as the true prize of a US defense contract in exchange, will be postponed, the two sources told Reuters.

When Hamas fighters supported by Iran attacked southern Israel on October 7, both Saudi and Israeli officials had indicated they were gradually pursuing diplomatic ties that had the potential to change the Middle East.

The Palestinians desire a state with East Jerusalem as its capital, located in areas that Israel won during the 1967 war. discussions between the US and Israel to achieve that fell apart more than ten years ago.

Obstacles include Israeli settlement of occupied land and the conflict between the Palestinian Authority, backed by the West, and Hamas, which opposes coexistence with Israel.

“There is a pathway towards a much better future for the region, for the Palestinians, and for Israel, that is peace, and we are fully committed to that,” stated Prince Faisal.

“A ceasefire on all sides should be a starting point for permanent sustainable peace, which can only happen through justice to the Palestinian people.”

The likelihood that Israel would offer major concessions to the Palestinians as part of a possible normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia has been downplayed by the country’s hard-right leadership.

On October 7, Hamas fighters invaded southern Israel, murdering 1,200 people and capturing 240 others. This marked the beginning of the Gaza War. Israel claims that there are still around 130 prisoners.

In response to Hamas’ attack, Israel besieged, bombarded, and invaded Gaza on land, wreaking havoc on the small coastal area and killing over 24,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

Fears of increased instability in the region have been raised by the fighting. Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, has been fighting regularly against Israel along the border with Lebanon, while pro-Iranian militias have struck US sites in Iraq.

Red Sea trade has been hampered by attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, who are affiliated with Iran. They claim that their attacks will not end until Israel stops bombing Gaza.