Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki indicated today, Thursday, that "the Palestinian Authority hopes to communicate with Saudi Arabia to discuss its concerns about a potential agreement to normalize relations with Israel." He stated in a press conference in Ramallah: "What we read in the news is that Saudi Arabia has set different conditions regarding normalization... One of these conditions is actually the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Al-Maliki added: "If this is indeed the case, it is very significant." He expressed the hope that "the Saudis will adhere to this position and not succumb to any form of pressure or intimidation from the Biden administration or any other power." He mentioned that "Saudi Arabia has shown interest in reviving the Arab-led peace process" and added: "However, we certainly wish to strongly hear from the Saudis and coordinate with them, as the Saudis can hear from us about the steps they should really take as necessary actions for resolving the Palestinian issue."
U.S. President Joe Biden stated last week that the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel "might be underway" after months of efforts by U.S. officials to mediate an agreement between the two longtime adversaries.
Al-Maliki expressed that "the Palestinian leadership is disappointed with the Biden administration, which he said has failed to fulfill its promises to reverse the previous administration's decision that contradicted U.S. policy and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," questioning: "What does that tell you? It tells you that we are not their priority."
Saudi Arabia has long supported the Palestinian cause and has distanced itself from formal contacts with Israel, although it has implicitly accepted what are known as the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE.
