Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he doesn’t personally prioritize the Palestinian issue. However, he emphasized the need to address Palestinian statehood in any normalization deal with Israel, as his people care deeply about the issue. The Crown Prince reportedly stated that 70% of his population is younger than him and were introduced to the Palestinian issue through the conflict in Gaza.
Bin Salman’s comments sparked controversy, but a Saudi official denied the claims, calling them “incorrect”. The Crown Prince’s stance on the Palestinian issue is crucial, as Saudi Arabia and Israel have been in talks to normalize relations, with the US as mediator. However, the negotiations have been complicated by the escalating violence in Gaza and Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state.
[news_related_post]Despite the challenges, Bin Salman is determined to continue with the negotiations, seeking significant concessions from the US, including security guarantees, support for a civilian nuclear program, and economic investments. The Crown Prince’s concerns about his safety are valid, as he cited the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who was killed after signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
