The Normalization of Relations Between Israel and Saudi Arabia Is a Topic of Conversation Between Netanyahu and Jake Sullivan

The Normalization of Relations Between Israel and Saudi Arabia Is a Topic of Conversation Between Netanyahu and Jake Sullivan – On Thursday (19/1/2023), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss improving relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. After becoming Israel’s prime minister for the sixth time last month, Netanyahu has made it clear that he wants to improve relations with Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco are the other Arab countries who have made peace with Israel under the Abraham Accords; with Saudi Arabia’s admission, that number will increase to five.

The United States (US) served as mediator for the deal, which was signed in 2020. According to a press release from Netanyahu’s office, he and Sullivan discussed how to expand the scope of the Abraham Accords and the peace cycle, with a particular focus on progress with Saudi Arabia. According to the report, the two also discussed working together to limit Iran’s nuclear program and its regional actions.

According to the Israeli prime minister’s office, Netanyahu congratulated Vice President Joe Biden for his efforts to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. “When we come together to solve problems and seize opportunities, I know we can succeed. In addition to bolstering our formidable alliance, this might have far-reaching consequences for the region and the course of history “Netanyahu remarked in a televised address as Kantro PM of Israel.

According to the White House, Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Conferring on the state of Middle Eastern and Ukrainian security US National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson told AFP that she and Netanyahu had also talked about Ukraine.

The two are also rumored to have discussed the consequences for Middle Eastern security of the growing defense relationship between Russia and Iran.

To address the disagreements between the new Israeli government and the Biden administration, Sullivan argued against Israeli policies that endanger the possibility of a Palestinian state.

Specifically, “(Sullivan) emphasized the necessity of avoiding unilateral measures by any party that could inflame tensions on the ground,” as stated by Adrienne Watson. “This is especially true with respect to maintaining the historic status quo with respect to the holy sites in Jerusalem.”

This trip to Israel by Sullivan was the first by a top American official since Netanyahu’s new cabinet took office in December.

On Wednesday (18/1/2023), Sullivan met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in addition to Netanyahu to discuss expanding the two countries’ strategic partnership. Besides Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s national security adviser, and David Barnea, head of Israel’s Mossad espionage organization, Sullivan has also visited with them.

A deepening defense alliance between Russia and Iran was also reportedly discussed, along with its ramifications for security in the Middle East. When asked about the disagreements between the new Israeli government and the Biden administration, Sullivan stated that she did not support Israeli policies that endangered the possibility of a Palestinian state.

Watson noted that Sullivan “emphasized the significance of avoiding unilateral moves by any party that could inflame tensions on the ground,” with a focus on preserving the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites. Since Netanyahu’s new cabinet took office in December, Sullivan is the highest-ranking American official to visit Israel since then.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between their nations during Sullivan’s meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday (18/1/2023). The chief of Israel’s Mossad espionage agency, David Barnea, and Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, are among the people Sullivan has talked to.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office reports that Hanegbi and Sullivan held video talks with their counterparts in the Emirates and Bahrain, during which all four pledged to strengthen the Abraham Accords.

Source : AFP