Op-Ed video: A Saudi-Israel deal will happen. It's a question of when, not if
A Saudi Arabia-Israel normalisation deal will happen, it's a question of "when, not if," says Chris Doyle, the director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the deal to boost his growing unpopularity, and wants to use the normalisation to cement his legacy as the Israeli leader who sealed a deal with one of the Arab world's richest powers.
US President Joe Biden wants to be the deal's handmaiden, and views it as a vital foreign policy success ahead of the 2024 election.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has a very detailed shopping list, and wants US weaponry, a defence agreement and a civilian nuclear programme in exchange for normalisation.
"The major challenge, however, is the issue of Palestine," says Doyle.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
"Saudi Arabia has made clear that it wishes to see some serious progress on this. It has been in regular discussions with the Palestinian leadership who have also been in Saudi Arabia.
"Just quite where they will set the lines is not clear."
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
