Blinken, Dermer Discuss Possible Israel-Saudi Accord in Washington Meeting

In a Washington meeting on Thursday, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer engaged in talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The conversation revolved around the potential for cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on navigating regional challenges like those posed by Iran.

According to Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, the discussions encompassed the ongoing initiatives aimed at solidifying Israel’s complete integration within the Middle East. Blinken emphasized the significance of both Israel and the Palestinians taking affirmative actions to de-escalate tensions and reinforce stability in Yehudah and Shomron.

Concurrently, on the same day, Blinken held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, as relayed by Miller. While no explicit statement was issued regarding the prospects of an Israel-Saudi normalization agreement, Dermer’s visit reportedly centered around this very topic.

A report from The New York Times indicated that the White House had been providing updates to a “small yet influential group of Democratic senators” about covert diplomatic negotiations involving the Middle Eastern nations. This group purportedly included figures like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with senators Bob Menendez and Christopher Murphy.

Reportedly, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been exploring the establishment of a fresh defensive partnership with the U.S. in exchange for recognizing Israel. Despite the progress made in bridging gaps between Israel and Saudi Arabia, substantial challenges persist before any agreement can be reached. Obstacles include the Palestinian issue, for which the kingdom has long been a staunch supporter, as well as the potential development of a nuclear program.

Approval from a two-thirds majority within the Senate is necessary for the ratification of agreements with foreign countries. However, Democrats have expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights track record and its involvement in the conflict against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.