Blinken: Saudi Arabia has clear interest in normalization of ties with Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discusses Saudi-Israel normalization during meeting with Saudi Crown Prince.

Elad BenariJan 9, 2024, 4:12 AM (GMT+2)
Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday there was “clear interest” on the part of Saudi Arabia in pursuing relations with Israel, AFP reported.

Blinken was speaking after meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a tent outside Al Ula, a historic oasis town. Blinken is in Saudi Arabia as part of a regional visit that saw him arrive in Israel late on Monday night.

“We talked about (Israeli normalization) actually on every stop, including of course here in Saudi Arabia,” he told reporters before flying to Tel Aviv, adding, “And I can tell you this, there’s a clear interest here in pursuing that.”

Israel and Saudi Arabia appeared to be on track towards normalization before Hamas’ October 7 attack against Israel and the war in Gaza which followed.

Shortly after the start of the war in Gaza, sources told to normalize ties with Israel on ice.

Content retrieved from: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/383276.