John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, told reporters on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia still aims to formalize ties with Israel.
According to him, the Israel-Hamas conflict complicates the situation. However, he remains optimistic that talks will continue.
The U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, recently met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.
They talked in Washington, D.C. A White House statement summarized the meeting. It said the two sides discussed defense ties and the Gaza situation.
The statement also stressed the need for lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The U.S. is mediating a deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. In this deal, Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel in return for U.S. military support.
This is part of a larger initiative known as the Abraham Accords.
These accords have already helped Arab countries like the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan establish ties with Israel.
However, the recent conflict has stalled these efforts. Since October 7, Saudi Arabia has openly supported the Palestinian cause.
The kingdom has also criticized Israel for attacks on civilians. Specifically, Saudi Arabia blamed Israel for a deadly bombing in Gaza.
Despite these challenges, Israel remains hopeful. The Israeli government believes that past agreements will hold up. It also thinks the current talks are not back to square one.
Background
The Saudi-Israeli relationship is complex and shaped by regional conflicts. Historically, Saudi Arabia has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause.
The country has also avoided formal ties with Israel. This stance has changed a bit with the Abraham Accords, which aim to foster Arab-Israeli relations.
Israel sees this as a significant win, hoping it can isolate Iran and gain regional acceptance. For Saudi Arabia, U.S. military support is a compelling incentive for formalizing relations.
However, public opinion in Saudi Arabia is still largely pro-Palestinian, making it a delicate matter for the Saudi government.
The recent conflict and the Saudi response indicate that any deal with Israel will have to balance many complex issues.
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