Saudi Arabia is taking a new approach towards the long-standing conflict as according to Reuters report, the kingdom is now open to accepting a political commitment from Israel to establish a Palestinian state.
This move comes in an effort to gain approval for a defense pact with the US before the upcoming Presidential election.
In October, Saudi Arabia put on hold the US-led diplomatic efforts to get Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel and recognize the country for the first time due to the growing Arab resentment over the Gaza war.
By accepting a political commitment, Saudi Arabia is not seeking a legally enforceable agreement but rather a verbal promise from Israel to work towards the creation of a Palestinian state. This approach provides some flexibility for both parties and reduces the potential roadblocks that come with binding agreements such as complex implementation processes and legal disputes.
Through some regional sources Saudi Arabia is more eager to strengthen its security and deter threats from competitor Iran so that the Kingdom can move forward with its plan to overhaul its economy and attract massive global investment.
Saudi Officials have told their US counterparts that Riyad will not insist Israel take concrete steps to create a Palestinian state, but will instead accept a political commitment to a two-state result, two elderly indigenous sources said.
Even before the Israel Hamas battle, such a big regional agreement was widely seen as an unrealistic goal. it would still face several diplomatic challenges, not the least of which is the uncertainty about how the war between Israel and Hamas will play out.
For Saudi Arabia accepting a political commitment from Israel is a pragmatic and strategic decision. It allows the Saudi government to show progress in their efforts towards peace while avoiding the potential backlash that may come with a more binding agreement.
By accepting a political commitment Saudi Arabia can still maintain its support for a Palestinian state without jeopardizing its relationship with Israel or its standing within the region.
This agreement would also strengthen Israel’s defences against archival Iran and provide US President Joe Biden with a diplomatic success to boast about ahead of the Nov 5 presidential election.
The officials of Saudi Arabia have quietly encouraged Washington to pressure Israel to terminate the Gaza conflict and agree to a political horizon for a Palestinian state, after which Riyad would normalize ties and assist fund for Gaza’s rehabilitation.
The issue however is that Israeli’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu , who has opposed Palestinian statehood for the majority of his political career, has categorically rejected any hopes that the US and the Arab world may have for a Palestinian state when the Gaza conflict is concluded.
According to a U.S. source, Washington assumed that Riyadh would be open to demonstrating some wiggle room on what would constitute an Israeli commitment to a route towards Palestinian statehood given the kingdom’s strong desire to get U.S. military assurances.
Striking a delicate balance between strengthening alliances and upholding ethical considerations will be crucial for both Saudi Arabia and the US as they navigate a complex and ever-evolving geopolitical landscape. As the election draws near, both nations must carefully consider the implications of this proposed defense pact and work towards ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership that promotes regional stability and addresses shared security challenges.
