Why will Saudi Arabia not normalise ties with Israel yet?

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Saudi Arabia Will Not Normalise Ties with Israel Without a Palestinian Peace Accord

Saudi Arabia has stated that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a peace agreement is concluded with the Palestinians. According to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, achieving peace with the Palestinians, based on international agreements, is a necessary precondition for any normalisation of ties with Israel. This stance positions Saudi Arabia differently from recent developments in the region, where other Arab nations have moved towards normalising relations with Israel.
Peace Accord with Palestinians is a Prerequisite

Prince Faisal bin Farhan explicitly articulated that "peace must be achieved with the Palestinians" on the basis of international agreements. He indicated that once such a peace accord is in place, other possibilities for normalisation could then be considered. This statement underscores Saudi Arabia's long-held position that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved before broader diplomatic normalisation can occur.
Criticism of Israeli Unilateral Policies

The Saudi Foreign Minister also reiterated concerns regarding Israel's "unilateral policies" concerning annexation and the construction of settlements in the West Bank. Prince Faisal described these actions as "illegitimate" and "detrimental" to the viability of a two-state solution, which has been a cornerstone of past Arab peace initiatives. These criticisms highlight specific obstacles perceived by Saudi Arabia to achieving a comprehensive peace.
Historical Arab Peace Initiatives

Saudi Arabia has historically played a role in proposing Arab peace initiatives, notably the 2002 Arab peace initiative, which offered normalisation of ties with Israel in exchange for a resolution to the Palestinian issue. Prince Faisal referenced these past efforts, noting that while such initiatives held out the prospect of normalisation, Riyadh currently perceives no pathway to diplomatic relations without an explicit Palestinian peace deal. This reflects a consistent, albeit evolving, regional diplomatic approach.

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Why will Saudi Arabia not normalise ties with Israel yet?

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