Saudi Arabia has presented Israel with a significant ultimatum expressing its interest in normalising relations with the Jewish state. However, the Saudi Ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, made it clear that any deal must prioritise the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Speaking to the BBC, Prince Khalid stated that a pact was “close” but was interrupted when the Kingdom suspended US-brokered talks after the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israel in early October.
Despite the tragic casualties in Gaza, Prince Khalid stressed that Saudi Arabia remains committed to establishing ties with Israel, but not “at the cost of the Palestinian people”.
Addressing the international community’s response to the Gaza conflict, the ambassador criticised what he called a “failure of humanity”, adding that more must be done to end the ongoing fighting.
The Prince also called for a shift in the UK’s position, urging the country to “treat Israel the same way it treats everyone else” and highlighting the need to eliminate blind spots that hinder the path to peace.
Saudi Arabia, a key player in the Arab and Islamic world, has never officially recognised Israel since its establishment in 1948. Normalising ties would mark a significant breakthrough for Israel. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had previously indicated progress in an agreement during a US television interview in late September.
While the Crown Prince acknowledged the importance of the Palestinian issue, he did not explicitly tie any agreement to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Palestinian leaders maintain that they will reject any deal that does not ensure the establishment of their state.
Reports suggest that Saudi officials requested a pause in US-brokered discussions shortly after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties and hostage situations in Israel.
Following a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed a clear interest in pursuing normalisation but stressed the need for a resolution in Gaza and a practical pathway to a Palestinian state.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Prince Khalid affirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in an agreement, emphasising that the final goal included nothing less than an independent state of Palestine. He acknowledged the proximity to normalisation before the October 7 events, stating that the discussions centred on the sequencing and management of these complex negotiations.
When questioned about Hamas’s role in a future Palestinian state, Prince Khalid said that it required careful consideration, leaving room for change if optimism and hope prevailed. However, he expressed concern about the extreme perspectives within the current Israeli government, hindering compromise and perpetuating the conflict.
Finally, Prince Khalid warned of the risk of radicalisation stemming from the devastating war, citing the unprecedented violence and a lack of hope among both Palestinians and disaffected people worldwide. He criticised the failure of humanity in addressing the crisis and highlighted the urgent need for more effective efforts to bring about a resolution.
