Amidst the Normalising of Relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, is Palestine Being Left Behind?

Individuals waving Palestinian flags talk to men waving Israeli and United States flags. (Credit CEPS).

By Valli Pendyala

On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 20, United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met regarding Biden’s role as a negotiator between Saudi Arabia and Israel, suggesting that relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel may be normalising.

Since its formation in 1948, Israel has only been recognised by four Arab states — Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan — thanks to the Abraham Accords. 

Saudi Arabia’s signing of the accords would go a long way towards stabilizing the tensions between Israel and the Arab world. However, Saudi demands for the deal, which include a defense pact with the U.S. and the recognition of a Palestinian State, are a high sell. 

Still, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, “the gaps can be bridged.” The Palestinian Authority is notably absent from negotiations. 

Although Palestinian officials have begun engaging in talks with U.S. and Saudi officials, and Saudi Arabia recently appointed its first ambassador to Palestine, skepticism remains high. 

Publicly, Palestine remains firm that only a two-state solution will be accepted. Privately, however, officials have more flexibility, listing a freeze on West Bank settlements, the reopening of Palestinian Liberation Organization offices in D.C., full Palestinian membership in the U.N. and the resumption of financial support from Saudi Arabia as their demands for a potential agreement.

Although the Saudis seem willing to cooperate with Palestine on the agreement, Israeli officials are much less amenable. Netanyahu called talks with Palestine a “check box,” indicating what little importance he places on Palestine’s position in the accords.

Palestinian citizens appear split on whether to support the move toward normalization. Although 66% of West Bank residents oppose the deal, Gazans are split evenly with 21% of residents strongly supporting it and 23% strongly opposed. At least half of West Bank and Gaza residents support resumed negotiations with Israel, suggesting that even if the Saudi-Israeli accords are unpopular, Palestinians prefer some action over none.

Ultimately, the deal will require significant compromise, not only between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but also with the U.S., as any formal agreement will likely require Congressional approval. Given Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the increasingly authoritarian Israeli government, the unlikelihood of a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Saudi demand for nuclear and weapons technology, it is unlikely that all parties will be satisfied. However, the fact that an agreement to potentially join the Abraham Accords is on the table after so many years of conflict suggests a movement in the right direction.