Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said on Friday that Israel hopes to achieve a breakthrough this week in its attempts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia during the visit of White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to the kingdom. Hanegbi stated that Sullivan is likely to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, adding to Reshet 13 News, "We are very optimistic about achieving a breakthrough during his visit."
In response to a question about whether the breakthrough could take the form of a phone call between Saudi leaders and Netanyahu, Hanegbi remarked, "Some say that there has been more than just phone calls between Saudi and Israeli leaders. But what is important is that the United States leads a movement to add Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords for normalizing relations and peace with Israel. If that happens, it will be a historical turning point."
Hanegbi had spoken with his counterpart Sullivan, who is set to head to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Saturday. Sullivan announced the visit, stating that Washington is working hard to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This matter also represents a key objective for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who briefly joined a video call between Sullivan and Hanegbi.
However, doubts loom over such possibilities due to the tension in Riyadh's relations with U.S. President Joe Biden, the resumption of relations between the kingdom and its regional rival Iran, and the formation of Netanyahu's far-right government.
