The Chimera of Saudi-Israeli Normalization in This Moment

2 comments

1. Writing in the latest issue of *The Caravan*, Hoover Fellow [Cole Bunzel](https://www.hoover.org/profiles/cole-bunzel) says the Israeli war in Gaza has pushed Saudi Arabia far away from the long-held Trump administration aim of encouraging the Saudis to normalize relations with Israel. Bunzel cites the public statements of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, columns in Saudi media, and opinion polling all showing a slow warming towards Israel up until October 7, 2023. Since then, all efforts towards normalization have stalled. Bunzel says things won’t start moving in the right direction again until the Gaza war ends. “The Trump administration ought to focus its efforts on removing the structural barriers standing in the way of such a deal,” he writes. “This begins with finding an end to the war in Gaza and helping to foster a political order in the territory that enjoys broad regional buy-in.”

2. Extremely unlikely during Netanyahu’s term, and the man is a vampire, he might never give up power. Still very possible down the line, but the crown prince has staked his reputation on there being a Palestine state which is looking nearly impossible now. 

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