Israeli PM flew to Saudi Arabia, met crown prince
- by Lorene Schwartz
- in People
- — Nov 24, 2020
Netanyahu, in an apparent message to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, said in a speech on Sunday there should be no return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal abandoned by President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu had lobbied the US government unsuccessfully before the nuclear deal was signed, arguing that the pact would encourage Iranian aggression in the region. Israel and Saudi Arabia, which share covert ties, both see Iran as an adversary.
Israeli media reported earlier that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret talks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS.
News and Axios. Netanyahu was joined by Mossad head Yossi Cohen, who has spearheaded the normalization efforts between Israel and the Sunni Gulf states.
There was no official confirmation.
But the kingdom's tone when speaking about Israel has shifted in recent years.
But some experts have said that Biden's upcoming inauguration may have created urgency in Riyadh, which has dealt discreetly with Israel over a joint desire to contain common foe Iran. Palestinian leaders have condemned the Arab deals as a betrayal.
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Saudi Arabia is chairing this year's Group of 20 summit, which is taking place virtually on Saturday and Sunday. Most Arab states block such overflights as part of their boycott of the Jewish state.
It would be the first known meeting between leaders of the historical foes, who the U.S. wants to normalise ties. The Trump administration, as well as Netanyahu, would love to add the Saudis to that list before it leaves office in January.
In September, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Saudi monarchy was divided over establishing official relations with Israel.
Opening diplomatic ties with Israel could also help Prince Mohammed rehabilitate his reputation in Washington, dampening criticisms of the Saudi war in Yemen, crackdowns on activists and the killing of the dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul in 2018.
The Saudi move was swiftly touted by Israel as a boon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing it as "a tremendous breakthrough" that will make trips cheaper and shorter, which will boost tourism and improve the economy.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Israel last week, was also at the reported talks, according to Kan's diplomatic correspondent. Mr. Pompeo's plane landed in Neom at 8:30 p.m. and departed three hours later.
