Israel and Saudi Arabia Relations
Context:
- Since Hamas began its deadly strikes on Israel on October 7, the attacks have decisively undermined American-backed Israeli aspirations to further normalisation of relations with Arab states while making no concessions to the Palestinians. More specifically, Saudi Arabia’s attempts to normalise relations with Israel have been severely damaged by the Gaza War.
Israel-Saudi relations:
- In order to add flair to his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waved two maps. One of the maps showed an isolated Israel in 1948, while the other showed the Arab neighbours who had now reached peace agreements with Israel, including Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan. Additionally, it depicted the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem as essential components of Israel, along with all other occupied Palestinian territory.
USA-supported diplomacy:
- Diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel were sought for by U.S. authorities, potentially this year. The three requirements that the kingdom presented to the United States had been the deal-breaker for normalisation:
- S. approval of a civilian nuclear programme allowing for domestic uranium enrichment
- A “ironclad” assurance of U.S. protection for the nation
Sales of cutting-edge weaponry.
According to reports, the Americans are pressing Saudi Arabia to repay the favour in the following ways:
- Support US interests on oil prices.
- reduce its military, diplomatic, and scientific connections to China.
- The new US-Saudi Arabia agreement has problems.
- Both in Israel and the United States, Saudi Arabia’s three demands for normalisation were controversial. The notion of providing security assurances to an authoritarian state was rejected by a number of American leaders. The U.S. was also cautioned. President opposes Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons development because he sees an intolerable risk of proliferation—a worry that is also shared by Israel.
- The United States faced challenges in selling cutting-edge weapons, primarily because of Saudi Arabia’s dismal human rights record both domestically and in Yemen.
- And lastly, there were issues with Saudi Arabia’s demand on receiving technological transfers in order to grow its armaments sector along with weaponry deliveries.
- The United States was optimistic that the deal would proceed in spite of these challenges. These talks about normalisation did not address the interests or concerns of the Palestinian people.
- At that time, Jewish settlers in the West Bank ramped up their operations as Israel conducted aggressive incursions into the Al Aqsa mosque complex.
The war’s effects on Indian interests in the area:
- The finance minister recently stated that the plans for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will not be hampered by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. But the violence has once again raised questions about the security of food and gasoline.
- India’s government denounced the attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas. This is a change from India’s conventional foreign policy, which up until recently supported Palestine. India is likewise in favour of the Two State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which calls for the establishment of an independent State of Palestine west of the Jordan River alongside the State of Israel.
Iran-Saudi relations:
- Under Chinese mediation, Saudi-Iranian relations have already returned to normalcy: high-level visits have been conducted, embassies have been reopened in both capitals, and economic cooperation is growing.
- In light of the Hamas attacks, the kingdom now acknowledges that addressing Palestinian concerns is essential to achieving peace and stability in the area.
Palestinian concerns at the forefront:
- Once more, the Saudis have given up on using the phoney verbal promises of confidence to the Palestinians that were being discussed during the negotiations for normalisation. Right now, tangible steps to further Palestinian interests are being sought after.
- In the future, it will be clear from the past three years that the kingdom has rejected American influence and is conducting its foreign policy commitments in its own best interests, independent of the United States. The monarchy opposes US efforts to form a regional cabal against Iran and a worldwide alliance against China.
Way Forward:
- There is no way that Saudi Arabia would capitulate to American demands over oil pricing or weaken its close, strategic connections to China, no matter how much the United States wishes. They are a key component of its pursuit of large, varied, and multifarious links throughout Asia and serve as an example of its assertion of strategic autonomy. Now, advancing the Palestinian cause will play a significant role in this foreign policy strategy.