The head of US diplomacy spent nearly an hour in an early morning meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the royal residence in the Riyadh area, a US official said.
A. Blinken, when asked about the meeting, said it was very productive.
Blinken made the trip to the region after Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group in the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, invading its territory and carrying out rocket attacks, and Israel retaliated with strikes on the Gaza Strip.
More than 1.3 thousand people died in Israel. people, including civilians. Israeli strikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip claimed more than 2,300 lives. lives of people, including several hundred children.
Before this war, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia spoke of the progress of US-led diplomacy to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
In the wake of the violence, Saudi Arabia halted the process, and Blinken said the breakdown in efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel may have partly fueled the Hamas attack.
The kingdom is home to two of Islam’s holiest sites, so its recognition would be historic for Israel, which normalized relations with three other Arab states in 2020.
Saudi Arabia, which like Israel has strained relations with Iran, has sought security guarantees from the United States, its longtime partner and oil buyer.
However, Prince Mohammed is highly controversial in the United States, where intelligence linked him to the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who lived in the United States.
Saudi authorities deny the claim.
President Joe Biden, who once vowed to make the kingdom a pariah, drew protests at home after a visit to Saudi Arabia last year in which he exchanged friendly fists with Prince Mohammed.
Later on Sunday, Blinken will travel to Egypt, the sixth Arab country he will visit in an effort to put pressure on Hamas and prevent the spread of the war.
Egypt is the main mediator between Israel and Hamas, and US officials say Cairo is working on a deal that would allow US citizens to leave the Gaza Strip. But on Saturday, Hamas blocked their movement to the only Rafah border crossing.
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**Interview with Dr. Sarah Thompson, Middle East Affairs Expert**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Thompson. Thank you for joining us today to discuss Secretary Blinken’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia and the potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic, especially given the current geopolitical landscape.
**Host:** Secretary Blinken described his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as “very productive.” What do you think the focus of their discussions was, considering the recent escalation in violence?
**Dr. Thompson:** The meeting likely centered on addressing the immediate crisis following the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli retaliations. Blinken would have emphasized the importance of stabilizing the region and possibly revisiting the normalization talks that had been underway before the conflict erupted.
**Host:** It’s worth noting that prior to the outbreak of violence, there were indications that Saudi Arabia was moving closer to a deal with Israel. How has the recent conflict impacted those discussions?
**Dr. Thompson:** The violence has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into the normalization talks. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had been cautiously optimistic, but the attacks and the tragic loss of life have led Saudi Arabia to reassess its position. The kingdom’s recognition of Israel would not only be historic but also controversial domestically and within the Muslim world.
**Host:** Blinken suggested that the breakdown in normalization efforts might have contributed to the Hamas attack. Do you think there’s a connection there?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s certainly a perspective that some analysts are considering. The frustration over stalled negotiations, amid rising tensions and failed peace initiatives, could have bred desperation within groups like Hamas. However, the motivations for such attacks are complex and are influenced by a multitude of factors, including longstanding grievances and regional dynamics.
**Host:** If the normalization negotiations are on hold, what are the next steps for both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia in navigating this crisis?
**Dr. Thompson:** For the U.S., it will be crucial to engage with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians. For Saudi Arabia, it might mean reassessing its diplomatic strategy and seeking a more balanced approach that addresses the rights of Palestinians as well as its own national interests.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how this situation evolves and what role diplomacy will play moving forward.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It’s a challenging time, but open dialogues are essential for peace in the region.
