Is Israel being sidelined?
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are likely to agree on several critical regional issues at their meeting next month – but according to Saudi and American sources, Israel will not be involved in these understandings.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration clearly prefers for Israel to be involved. US officials – primarily Secretary of State Marco Rubio – are working to formulate a framework that would at least partially include Israel in the emerging agreements. On the security front, all parties, including the Saudis, want Israel involved, given its superior technological and military capabilities. According to the American official, it is understood that in any agreement or cooperation, Israel's security comes first, and the US will prevent any scenario that could endanger it.
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US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are likely to agree on several critical regional issues at their meeting next month – but according to Saudi and American sources, Israel will not be involved in these understandings.
A mega-deal in the making
Trump is pushing for a "mega-deal" – a grand agreement to resolve several regional disputes and promote international cooperation. The Saudis are seeking a defense pact and plan to announce a $600 billion investment in the US. This would serve as the framework for the upcoming talks. The war in Gaza has become an obstacle to realizing this vision. While Trump views Hamas as the primary obstacle and seeks to end the conflict, he will not hesitate to proceed with the Saudi plans even without Israel's involvement if the war does not end soon."Israel's security comes first"
An American official confirmed that in recent high-level discussions between the US and Saudi Arabia, Riyadh scarcely referred to Israel as a necessary partner or a party worth consulting.Nonetheless, the Trump administration clearly prefers for Israel to be involved. US officials – primarily Secretary of State Marco Rubio – are working to formulate a framework that would at least partially include Israel in the emerging agreements. On the security front, all parties, including the Saudis, want Israel involved, given its superior technological and military capabilities. According to the American official, it is understood that in any agreement or cooperation, Israel's security comes first, and the US will prevent any scenario that could endanger it.
The Saudi shift
The war placed Saudi Arabia in a delicate position due to intense Arab criticism over the toll on Gaza. The Saudis remained restrained for a long time, but in November, the crown prince signaled a shift. Bin Salman accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza – an unusually harsh term for him – and demanded an end to the war and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.Complete Article
Saudi Arabia and US on Israel-bypassing track
The Saudi crown prince and the US president are expected to reach agreements on issues critical to Israel – including nuclear cooperation. According to
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