U.S. officials have accused Israel of disrupting a historic deal with Saudi Arabia that could reshape the Middle East, according to the Financial Times. The newspaper, citing U.S. officials and analysts, reported that Israel is behind the failure to reach this landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia.
According to the report, the U.S. administration has worked for years to correct relations with its Saudi partner to successfully negotiate a normalization agreement with Israel and achieve mutual interests. The normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel will not occur as long as the Gaza war continues, and unless Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to make concessions. A peace agreement between the two sides could help resolve several crises:
- It would pave the way for de-escalation in Gaza and the implementation of a two-state solution.
- This development would mark a significant achievement for U.S. President Joe Biden, who is playing the mediator’s role ahead of critical elections.
- Riyadh would obtain long-awaited defense and nuclear agreements with the United States.
- Israel would move closer to regional and global integration on various fronts.
Analysts note that the U.S. administration intensified its efforts to secure the deal over the years. Despite fluctuating relations between Washington and Riyadh at the beginning of Biden's term, his administration quickly worked to mend ties with Saudi Arabia to strengthen this key partnership.
Even after reducing oil imports, the United States found itself dependent on changes occurring in the Middle East and their impact on global prices. With competitors like China and Russia potentially stepping in at any moment, Washington was compelled to alter its foreign policy and play a central role in a normalization deal that remains on the table.
Summary of the newspaper's report:
- Israel is responsible for disrupting the deal that could reshape the Middle East.
- Normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel will not happen while the Gaza war continues.
- The U.S. administration has intensified efforts to succeed in the normalization deal with Riyadh.
- Washington has worked to repair relations with Saudi Arabia over the past years.
- Washington fears rapprochement between its competitors, Russia and China, and Saudi Arabia.
