In a report by The Atlantic, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly expressed to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he does not personally prioritize the “Palestinian issue.” The conversation occurred during Blinken’s visit to Saudi Arabia in January, where the two discussed the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the report, the crown prince indicated a desire for stability in Gaza as part of any normalization deal. When Blinken asked whether Saudi Arabia could tolerate periodic Israeli military operations in Gaza, Mohammed bin Salman reportedly responded that while such actions could be accepted at other times, not directly following a diplomatic agreement.
The crown prince also highlighted a generational gap in Saudi Arabia regarding Palestine, stating that 70% of the population is younger than him and unfamiliar with the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that while he may not care personally, it remains important to his people.
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A Saudi official has refuted The Atlantic’s account, calling it “incorrect.” Publicly, Mohammed bin Salman maintains that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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