.President Biden Reveals Saudi Arabia’s Conditions for Israel Normalization, Including a Civilian Nuclear Facility
US President Joe Biden has revealed that Saudi Arabia is seeking to normalize relations with Israel. Saudis want security guarantees from the United States in exchange for weapons , including a nuclear facility. In a candid interview on “360 with Speedy,” Biden disclosed, “The Saudis called me — they want to fully recognize Israel.” This statement extends beyond Riyadh’s public stance. Saudi officials have insisted that normalization with Israel hinges on Jerusalem’s support for a future Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected this condition.
Biden did not address the Palestinian issue during the interview. Instead, he emphasized that Saudi Arabia Israel normalization depends on US commitment to provide military support. He said in the event of attacks from other Arab nations. While Biden did not explicitly name any countries, his comments appeared to allude to Iran, a significant regional adversary, although not an Arab nation.
Moreover, Biden announced plans to establish a US-operated civilian nuclear facility in Saudi Arabia, aimed at aiding the kingdom’s transition from fossil fuels. This revelation offers the most detailed public account of the defense assurances sought by Saudi Arabia, particularly the nuclear aspect. “That’s a significant shift in the region,” Biden noted. Nonetheless, sources suggest that the Biden administration might have missed the opportunity to finalize a normalization agreement before the upcoming November presidential election. As there is not enough time left for the Senate to hold the hearings that are necessary to approve the defense guarantees for Saudi Arabia.
However, Saudi Arabia faces condemnation from Muslims worldwide for its move towards normalization with Israel, viewed as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Critics argue that Riyadh’s actions undermine the longstanding Arab solidarity with Palestinians and disregard the necessity for a Palestinian state. This backlash highlights the regional and religious complexities surrounding the potential normalization deal.
