Israel in Talks with Palestinians for Normalization Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Says National Security Council Head
The head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, announced on Monday that Israel has been engaging in discussions with Palestinian officials in recent months as part of an effort to achieve a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Institute for Anti-Terrorism Policy at Reichman University, Hanegbi emphasized the significance of this dialogue, stating, “This is the first dialogue of its kind for at least a decade in which the representatives talk very openly about what they want. There is fruit in the dialogue with the Palestinians, they have an understanding that this time they will not let these agreements slip from their hands.”
Hanegbi expressed his support for a “significant Palestinian component” in the potential agreement, as long as it does not compromise Israel’s security. However, he warned that any attempts by the Palestinians to pursue legal action against Israeli Defense Forces soldiers in international forums would lead to an immediate termination of all agreements with the Palestinian Authority.
The United States’ national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, also addressed the prospects of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Sullivan acknowledged that there are broad understandings on various components that would pave the way towards normalization, but stressed that there is still much work to be done before any concrete agreements can be reached.
“We don’t have a framework and we don’t have clauses that are ready for signing. There is more work to be done,” Sullivan stated. He added that both Israeli and Saudi Arabian leaders have put forward many components that could contribute to the process of normalization.
The ongoing talks between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine demonstrate a renewed commitment towards regional cooperation and stability. While significant obstacles still remain, the current discussions offer hope for progress in the future.