Saudi Arabia has abandoned its ambition for a defense alliance with the United States in exchange for normalization with Israel, and instead aims to sign a more modest military cooperation agreement with the United States, Reuters reported today (Friday). According to the report, Riyadh has hardened its positions regarding normalization with Israel following the war in Gaza.The news agency reported that for the US, the normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel and the signing of a defense alliance between the US and Saudi Arabia depend on each other. In order for the US to commit to a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, the US Senate must vote for it by a 66% majority, which is politically impossible without Saudi recognition of Israel. In view of this fact, and in an effort to reach a defense alliance with the United States, Saudi Arabia agreed earlier this year to soften its demand Regarding a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization with Israel, and to be satisfied with a public commitment on the part of Israel for a two-state solution.
Biden and bin Salman hope to reach an agreement before the end of the president’s term | Photo: Reuters
But according to the report, the internal anger in Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East regarding the war in Gaza led Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to condition Israel’s recognition on it taking concrete steps towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. Western diplomats estimated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still eager to reach normalization, but aware that any move toward a Palestinian state would fracture his coalition.
A source who spoke to Reuters said the White House and the Saudi royal palace hope to sign a more modest military agreement before US President Joe Biden leaves the White House on January 20. The deal under discussion includes expanding military cooperation to counter threats, particularly from Iran. , and tightening the cooperation between defense companies in the two countries.
