Donald Trump has been talking about the possibility of Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords, the agreement his administration helped create in 2020 to formalize ties between Israel and several Arab states.
Trump Questions Saudi Two-State Condition for Normalization
Trump sparked controversy in a recent CBS “60 Minutes” interview when he questioned the seriousness of Saudi Arabia’s publicly stated demand for a Palestinian state. He expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords regardless of the kingdom’s precondition.
When asked about the Saudi crown prince, Trump said: “He has said they won’t join the Abraham Accords without a two-state solution. Do you believe that?” CBS correspondent Norah O’Donnell asked. “No, I think he’s going to join,” Trump responded. “I think we will have a solution.” He added: “I don’t know if it’s going to be two-state, that’s going to be up to Israel – and other people, and me..”
Trump Says Saudi’s Entry Could Lead Others to Join Abraham Accords
In an interview with Fox Business last month, Trump praised the Abraham Accords and expressed hope for Saudi Arabia to join. He said: “The Abraham Accords are a miracle in a way, and the four countries that went in initially…they stayed in and they’re doing incredibly well…I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in, and I hope to see others go in.” He added: “I hope to see Saudi Arabia come in, and I hope to see others come in. I think when Saudi Arabia comes in, everyone comes in.”
Saudi Denied Similar Allegations Before
Trump had made similar comments in February, prompting Saudi Arabia to respond with an official statement at 4 a.m. Riyadh denied his claim and stressed that its position on the Palestinian issue remains “firm and unequivocal.”
Saudi Position Remains Firm, According to Reuters
Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia has communicated to Washington through diplomatic channels that its stance on normalization has not changed. The kingdom is expected to join the Abraham Accords only if there is a clear agreement on a path toward establishing a Palestinian state.
Trump Links Gaza Ceasefire and Iran to Broader Normalization
Trump suggested that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and “neutralizing the Iranian nuclear threat” would create the right conditions for Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, to normalize relations with Israel. These remarks came ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington on 18 November, his first visit to the White House since 2018.
The Abraham Accords
The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, initially included the UAE and Bahrain, then Morocco and Sudan later joined. The agreements marked the first Arab states to recognize Israel since Egypt signed the Camp David Peace Treaty in 1979.
Trump’s comments highlight ongoing discussions about expanding the Abraham Accords, though Saudi Arabia maintains that normalization with Israel is linked to progress on a Palestinian state. The issue remains a key focus ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington.
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