Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen affirmed on Thursday that the general framework for an agreement to establish relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, mediated by the United States, could be ready by early next year. This comes after the three countries indicated progress in their complex negotiations. Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel could significantly reshape the Middle East by officially uniting two key U.S. allies against Iran, marking a victory for U.S. President Joe Biden's foreign policy as he seeks reelection in late 2024. Biden expressed optimism about the prospects for normalization during his discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman separately stated that the two sides are getting closer to an agreement every day. However, disputes regarding related issues loom, as Riyadh's pursuit of a civilian nuclear program poses a challenge for U.S. and Israeli policies. Additionally, Saudi and U.S. calls for gains for the Palestinians under any agreement are not well-received by Netanyahu’s hardline right-wing government. Minister Cohen stated to Israel's Army Radio, "The gaps can be bridged... It will take time, but there is progress." He added, "I believe there is definitely a possibility that in the first quarter of 2024, in four or five months, we can reach a stage where the details of the agreement are finalized." Such a timeline could allow the Biden administration to navigate a review period in the U.S. Congress and Senate and secure ratification before the presidential elections in November.
