After Appointing Its First Ambassador to the Abbas Authority, Is Saudi Arabia Getting Closer to Normalization With ‘Israel’?

In a cryptic decision with multiple implications, Saudi Arabia has announced the appointment of a “non-resident ambassador” to the Palestinian territories for the first time. This move coincides with increasing discussions about Saudi Arabia reaching a “draft” normalization agreement with “Israel” under U.S. sponsorship, alongside Israeli facilitations for Ramallah.

On August 12, 2023, the Saudi Embassy in Oman tweeted that the current Saudi ambassador to Jordan, Naif al-Sudairy, will take on the new position, in addition to the role of Consul General in Jerusalem (al-Quds), indicating a refusal to recognize it as “Israel’s capital.”

 

Diplomatic Message

An Egyptian political analyst explained to Al-Estiklal the appointment of a Saudi ambassador to Palestine in two aspects. Firstly, it could be considered a “symbolic gesture” through which the kingdom seeks to demonstrate that it hasn’t forgotten the Palestinians. The appointed ambassador is a “non-resident” one, meaning they won’t visit “Israel” and will perform a role similar to that of the Riyadh ambassador in Jordan.

The diplomatic advisor to the Palestinian President for Diplomatic Affairs, Majdi Khaldi, received the credentials of Ambassador Nayef al-Sudairi to the State of Palestine and as the Consul General of the Kingdom in Jerusalem. This took place at the Palestinian Embassy in Jordan on August 12, 2023, according to the Palestinian WAFA Agency.

Secondly, this move might be a Saudi message directed at the United States and “Israel,” emphasizing the necessity of taking steps to strengthen Palestinian authority or initiate the creation of the Palestinian state as a counterpart to normalization. This perspective comes from the Egyptian analyst who chose not to disclose his name for personal reasons.

He suggests that Western and Israeli talks of imminent normalization are valid, and Riyadh is seeking a cosmetic solution to its position by aligning itself with the Palestinian cause.

Ahmed al-Shehri, a Saudi political researcher, said that Riyadh does not oppose establishing relations with “Israel” on the condition that Israelis offer genuine concessions, primarily recognizing the State of Palestine within the 1967 borders according to the Arab Peace Initiative.

However, the Israeli Occupation response to the Saudi decision was swift. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen rejected the appointment of an ambassador to Palestinian territories, hinting that Riyadh did not coordinate with them.

In an interview with 103FM radio on August 13, 2023, Cohen stated that “Israel will not allow the opening of a Saudi diplomatic mission in the Palestinian Authority.”

He claimed that such a move “contradicts Israel’s positions” and added, “They [the Saudis] do not need our permission, and they did not consult with us nor need to do so, but we will not permit the opening of any diplomatic mission whatsoever.”

Nonetheless, Cohen described the Saudi decision as being “motivated by progress in normalization negotiations” between “Israel” and the kingdom, implying proximity to normalization.

He further stated, “Normalization agreements can be reached. It’s complicated, but achievable,” expressing hope that this could be achieved within the next 13 months before the U.S. elections.

On August 12, 2023, Israel Hayom newspaper noted that “Saudi Arabia’s decision to appoint an ambassador is an introduction to normalization with Israel.”

The newspaper added that “the Saudi ruling regime seeks to extend a goodwill gesture to Palestinians to minimize the impact of its normalization decision with Tel Aviv.”

Prior to Saudi Arabia’s appointment of an ambassador to Ramallah, “Israel” offered “partial formal” facilitations to the Palestinian Authority following U.S. intervention.

On August 8, 2023, the U.S. administration informed the Palestinian Authority that the Israeli government approved limited facilitations to help alleviate its financial crisis.

These facilitations include deferring monthly payments for a previous loan of half a billion shekels, paying 50% of travel fees through the border crossing with Jordan starting from September 2023, and approving the establishment of an industrial zone near the town of Tarqumiyah near Hebron.

The Palestinian Authority demands “Israel” pay 800 million shekels in crossing fees that “Israel” has withheld from them for the past 10 years. However, “Israel” has refused to pay these dues and agreed to pay half of the fees starting August 2023.

 

To Normalize or Not?

Alongside the Saudi appointment of an ambassador to Palestine, Western and particularly American media are stirring conflicting speculations about the proximity of normalization between Saudi Arabia and “Israel” under U.S. sponsorship.

Newspapers discuss the likelihood of normalization, some even reaching the point of discussing the “broad outlines” (draft) of an agreement. Others deny and publicize “obstacles” hindering normalization pertaining to Saudi demands, with fewer involving Palestine and more focusing on the kingdom.

Despite Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s declared positions and portrayal as opposed to normalization without progress in the Palestinian file—especially since his country presented the Arab Peace Initiative—in secret, he agrees but solely wants reciprocation (the price).

The Wall Street Journal published a report on August 9, 2023, stating that the United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the broad outlines of normalization with “Israel.”

It stated that “within 9–12 months, the Saudi–Israeli normalization deal could be concluded under American sponsorship,” quoting U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller: “We’ve made progress on a number of issues. I’m not going to get into what the progress is, but it is still a long road to go with an uncertain future.”

The Wall Street Journal noted that bin Salman decided not to wait for the upcoming U.S. elections to proceed with the issue of normalization with “Israel.” However, he is hesitant to rush into a deal with the current hawkish Israeli government.

When the White House denied U.S. and Israeli press reports regarding “progress” in normalization talks, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said there is no smoke without fire.

He emphasized that an agreement is imminent, and peace with Saudi Arabia is only a matter of time, according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on August 10, 2023.

Nevertheless, the Washington Post revealed on August 11, 2023, that real obstacles still hinder any potential normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and “Israel.”

It cited statements from Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, who said that his country is not prepared to offer “meaningful concessions” on the matter of establishing a Palestinian state, a condition believed to be a Saudi prerequisite for ensuring rapprochement with “Israel” to save face.

Hanegbi stated that for normalization with Saudi Arabia, “Israel” will not pay the price of its security.

He mentioned that the deal would allow for more Saudi investment in Palestinian infrastructure projects without mentioning the State of Palestine.

The Washington Post indicated that “Israel” anticipates a U.S.–Saudi–Israeli draft agreement by September 2023, despite obstacles.

The Daily Beast, on August 9, 2023, elaborated that the Saudi–Israeli normalization deal is “uncertain” as the path to it is highly complex. President Joe Biden must secure confirmations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and bin Salman, who are among the least trusted leaders globally.

However, an analysis by the +972 Magazine, which represents independent journalism from “Israel” and Palestine, affirmed on August 8, 2023, that for bin Salman, normalization with “Israel” presents an opportunity to enhance social control and suppress pro-Palestinian activity within the kingdom’s society.

It clarified that Israelis want to deepen their alliances with regional autocrats to further entrench the current status quo that rejects any Palestinian state. Moreover, normalization with Saudi Arabia ensures that “Israel” never has to halt its escalating crimes.

The magazine asserted that Saudi–Israeli normalization will not enhance peace or stability but rather serve as another pillar of an authoritarian regional structure.

It added, “This agreement will expedite the suffocation and potential mass displacement of Palestinians more than ever before, leaving them without refuge on the international stage.”

The British website Middle East Eye stated on August 12, 2023, that “any proposed deal between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and America is a deception to deprive Palestinians of their rights.”