The Biden Administration’s Ambitious Push for a Saudi-Israeli Diplomatic Deal

The Biden Administration’s Ambitious Push for a Saudi-Israeli Diplomatic Deal

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a surprising turn of events, the Biden administration has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to broker a historic diplomatic deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, as was recently reported in the New York Times. The two nations, historical adversaries, have quietly courted each other in recent years due to their shared concerns regarding Iran. The NYT reported that the United States, previously content with its hands-off approach to Middle East diplomacy, has decided to actively engage in negotiations despite the complexities and challenges involved.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recently briefed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the significant demands put forth by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. The NYT reported that this phone call, which lasted over 40 minutes, marked a pivotal moment in the Biden administration’s pursuit of a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East. However, the NYT reported that the three leaders involved in these negotiations—Blinken, Netanyahu, and Prince Mohammed—have their own motivations and distrust toward each other, making the path to a deal rather arduous.

For Prime Minister Netanyahu, Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel would be a significant political victory, especially considering his embattled position within a hard-right coalition government facing domestic opposition on the judicial reform issue, the NYT reported.  On the other hand, Prince Mohammed seeks a strengthened security relationship with the United States, access to American weapons, and consent for the kingdom’s civilian nuclear program, including uranium enrichment—a demand Washington has long resisted. According to the NYT report, President Biden faces political risks in drawing closer to Saudi Arabia, given his previous criticism of the country, but a successful diplomatic pact in the Middle East could be advantageous for his upcoming re-election bid.

If a normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is achieved, it would explicitly reveal that one of the Arab world’s most influential countries has de-prioritized its support for a Palestinian independent state, the NYT reported. This shift in priorities could be a significant geopolitical development, as it challenges long-held assumptions about the region’s dynamics.

Reversing deeply entrenched positions represents a significant obstacle to reaching a deal. The NYT report indicated that Israel has traditionally opposed Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of nuclear enrichment, fearing it could lead to a dangerous nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has insisted that peace with Israel can only come after the establishment of a state for the Palestinian people. For President Biden, the NYT reported that cementing a closer alliance with Saudi Arabia would require explaining his change in position regarding Prince Mohammed, which could be met with criticism.

Despite the challenges, anonymous American officials believe that a confluence of factors has created a window of opportunity for a potential accord. The NYT further reported that the Biden administration’s Democratic leadership might have a better chance of selling the deal to party members and securing support from political opposition. According to the report, efforts to repair U.S.-Saudi relations have gained momentum, with senior officials from the United States frequently visiting Riyadh and Tel Aviv for negotiations.

Saudi Arabia’s willingness to normalize relations with Israel depends on the concessions it can secure from the United States, as was indicated in the NYT report. The kingdom seeks U.S. guarantees for its defense, a Saudi-American partnership for uranium enrichment, and fewer restrictions on American arms sales. The NYT reported that these demands are primarily aimed at deterring Iran, but they face scrutiny from both the United States and Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position is precarious due to an ongoing corruption trial and political unrest. As was reported by the NYT, a successful diplomatic arrangement with Saudi Arabia could potentially reverse his political fortunes. However, any Israeli consent to a Saudi nuclear enrichment program would contradict long-standing policies, as Israel fears it may lead to regional nuclear proliferation.