A covert relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia, which has been developing over several years, has recently begun to unravel in just a few days.
During an interview with Channel 14 while in Washington last week, Netanyahu spoke about this relationship in clear terms.
“We maintained covert relations for almost three years. On our side, only three individuals, besides myself, were aware of it. Similarly, only a handful of people on their side were involved, as was the case with the Americans,” Netanyahu stated.
If this is accurate and not merely another fabrication from Netanyahu, such a relationship can either be disclosed with the consent of the other party or revealed once it has concluded. Alternatively, this statement could be seen as a display of bravado, akin to many others made in the past week.
The ties between the kingdom and Israel have been driven by both personal and state interests.
As a relatively unknown prince contending with strong opposition from influential members of the royal family, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) recognized that his ascent to power would be facilitated through alliances with Tel Aviv and Washington.
After becoming crown prince, Bin Salman continued to strengthen ties with Israel, making a secret visit in 2017. He sought to win over American Jewish opinion, openly criticizing the Palestinian cause.
The following year, he admonished Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, suggesting that Palestinians should either negotiate with Israel or “remain silent.”
Prior to the Hamas-led attack on Israel, MBS was edging closer to endorsing the Abraham Accords.
Even in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, Saudi Arabia continued its usual operations without interruption.
No flexibility allowed
For a prolonged period of 15 months, pro-Palestinian demonstrations were not permitted, and celebrations persisted while Gaza suffered. The display of Palestinian flags or prayers for Gaza by pilgrims in Mecca were strictly prohibited.
The escalating death toll in Gaza, the incursion into Lebanon, and military actions in the Occupied West Bank did not alter Saudi Arabia’s stance.
The crown prince even appeared willing to endure a certain level of indignity from US President Donald Trump. When asked about his first country to visit, Trump stated that Saudi Arabia would need to pay $500 billion in US contracts for the honor of his visit.
Following a cordial phone conversation with MBS, the kingdom committed to $600 billion. Trump then raised the expectation, suggesting the amount should be closer to $1 trillion.
“I believe they will comply because we have treated them very well,” Trump remarked at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
When Trump disclosed his intention to take control of Gaza following the mass relocation of Palestinians, he indicated that the financial responsibility for the cleanup would fall on the Gulf states, specifically naming Saudi Arabia. This particularly displeased Riyadh.
Trump also claimed that Saudi Arabia would establish relations with Israel without the prerequisite of a Palestinian state. “So, Saudi Arabia is going to be very helpful. And they have been very helpful. They want peace in the Middle East. It’s very straightforward,” Trump stated.
Riyadh responded within just 45 minutes, issuing what has been termed the dawn statement.
This left minimal flexibility in the situation.
“His Royal Highness reiterated that Saudi Arabia will persist in its unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not normalize relations with Israel without this condition.”
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its steadfast rejection of any violations of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement activities, land annexation, or efforts to displace Palestinians from their homeland. The Kingdom emphasizes that this firm stance is non-negotiable and not open to compromise.”
Since then, the exchange of statements has intensified.
In an interview with Channel 14, Netanyahu expressed a sense of triumph, suggesting that if the Saudis were so eager to establish a Palestinian state, they could do so within their own borders. “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have ample land available.”
This remark elicited widespread condemnation from various Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait.
In its second statement of the week on Sunday, Riyadh firmly rejected comments that “seek to distract from the ongoing atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people in Gaza, including the ethnic cleansing they are enduring.”
The statement was clear: “This extremist, occupying mentality fails to comprehend the significance of Palestinian land to the brotherly people of Palestine and their emotional, historical, and legal ties to it.”
Palestinians possess an inherent right to their land and should not be viewed as outsiders or immigrants who can be removed at the discretion of the oppressive Israeli occupation.
A bygone era
In a matter of days, Trump and Netanyahu have reversed their previous efforts. They were instrumental in persuading the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco to enter into the Abraham Accords.
During his interview with Fox News, Netanyahu was clear about the intent behind these actions. He stated that the goal was to marginalize the Palestinians, showing disregard for Saudi sensitivities.
“When we finalize the transformation in the Middle East, further diminish the Iranian influence, ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear capabilities, and eliminate Hamas, we will pave the way for additional agreements with Saudi Arabia and other nations.
“I also have faith in the Muslim world. It is about achieving peace through strength. When we are united and strong, the current objections that seem insurmountable will eventually shift,” he remarked.
Until now, Netanyahu had assured MBS and Mohammed Bin Zayed, the president of the UAE, that he would treat them as partners. However, he has now indicated that he intends to impose peace upon them through force, suggesting that this is not a relationship of equals and that the Arab world will submit to him once Israel has achieved dominance.
This shift has compelled Saudi foreign policy to revert to the Arab nationalist principles of King Faisal from five decades ago.
For the first time in 15 months, there is a genuine possibility of a coalition of Arab states emerging, comprised of nations that have previously been passive towards Israel.
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal, notably wearing a keffiyeh, cautioned against “collective action” not only from the Arab and Muslim communities but also from Europe.
On Sunday, Egypt declared it would convene an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to address “new and dangerous developments” following Trump’s suggestion to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
A bridge too far
The catalyst for this shift was the endorsement of mass population transfer as the official stance of both Israel and the United States.
For years, this concept had remained a neglected topic within the extreme factions of religious Zionism. It has now transitioned into a mainstream policy in both Israel and America.
The forcible relocation of two million Palestinians would not only challenge Israel’s immediate neighbors, Egypt and Jordan, but would also have repercussions for every Arab nation, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As Trump reaffirmed his support for mass transfer and Netanyahu described it as the “purest, freshest idea in years,” the sense of threat in Arab capitals has intensified.
The religious Zionist movement asserts claims to territories extending well beyond the current borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the settler movement, openly articulates the expansive territorial aspirations believed to be divinely promised to the Jewish people.
“This is the promise of God to the Patriarchs of the Jewish Nation. It’s three thousand kilometers. It’s almost as vast as the Sahara Desert. It encompasses Iraq and Syria, and parts of Saudi Arabia.”
Even in the absence of Itamar Ben Gvir, the former national security minister known for his extremist views, Israel continues to occupy more Syrian territory than it does in the Gaza Strip, excluding the Occupied Golan Heights. The nation remains steadfast in its refusal to withdraw from Lebanon and has openly articulated its intentions to fragment Syria into smaller regions, while also adopting increasingly aggressive rhetoric towards Turkey.
The ongoing expansion of Israel’s territory poses a significant risk of destabilizing the entire region, which could have severe repercussions for the Saudi kingdom.
Moreover, the conditions that previously allowed the Gulf states to remain passive regarding the Palestinian issue have shifted since 2017, losing their previous clarity.
The Abraham Accords were initially promoted by Israel and the first Trump administration as a coalition against Iran.
However, with Iran’s influence waning due to the loss of Syria and Hezbollah’s setbacks in conflict, the Saudis have rightly reassessed their position, realizing that further isolating Iran is not in their best interest.
This is particularly relevant as the first targets of any retaliatory Iranian drone strikes would likely be Saudi oil facilities. Currently, relations between Riyadh and Iran’s new president are amicable, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) aims to maintain this positive dynamic.
MBS finds himself in a stronger position now, having consolidated control over his kingdom and enjoying popularity among the younger population as a modernizing leader. The oppressive tactics he once employed to ascend to power are, for the time being, a thing of the past.
By distancing himself from Israel and moving away from Trump, MBS and the kingdom have the chance to reclaim their status as the moral and economic leaders of the Arab and Islamic world.
The kingdom has shifted from its previous isolation from the Muslim world since MBS assumed leadership. It now maintains cordial relations with Turkey, with a potential $6 billion agreement on the horizon for Riyadh to procure warships, tanks, and missiles from Ankara.
MBS has also become aware of the growing significance of the Palestinian cause among his citizens. In a discussion with former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he acknowledged that while he personally does not prioritize the Palestinian issue, 70 percent of his younger constituents do.
“For many of them, the Palestinian issue is something they are just now learning about due to the current conflict. It poses a significant challenge. Personally, I may not care about it, but my people do, and I must ensure it holds meaning for them,” MBS reportedly stated.
What advantage would MBS gain from publicly shaking hands with Netanyahu, given the latter’s controversial reputation?
Currently, such a public display would yield a long list of drawbacks for him.
It may be too late.
On Tuesday, King Abdullah of Jordan will arrive in Washington with a message from the Arab world that Trump should heed. This is not mere rhetoric; it is a genuine expression of sentiment.
The ramifications of permitting Israel to devastate Gaza, displace over two million individuals, compel Jordan and Egypt to accommodate them, and rely on affluent Arab nations for reconstruction would fundamentally alter the Middle East in ways we cannot fully comprehend. Netanyahu’s assertion holds true.
Such actions would entangle the United States in a religious conflict that would persist long after the legacies of Trump and Netanyahu have faded.
It is time for Trump, as a pragmatist, to recognize this reality.
The sole takeaway from the pointless wars America has engaged in this century, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, is that they begin with certainty but conclude in disorder, often lasting far longer than the American public desires.
It is Trump’s responsibility to bring an end to warfare. Conversely, Netanyahu has openly stated his intention to prolong this conflict and expand it to dominate the entire region.
Therefore, it is crucial for an isolationist, nationalist, and inward-looking America to distance itself from Netanyahu and his aspirations for a greater Israel without delay.
For tomorrow may be too late.
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