MBS, the young and forward-looking Saudi prince, is known to be less patient than many of his older predecessors in Saudi diplomacy with the Palestinians.
In a Sept. 18 speech, MbS said the kingdom would not recognize Israel without the creation a Palestinian state, suggesting a deal may be near impossible for the foreseeable future.
Despite regional tensions, the Abraham Accords have endured ongoing challenges, with UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan maintaining ties with Israel to counter shared threats.
The Gaza war posed a major challenge to the Abraham Accords Arab member states, many of whom have faced criticism from a slew of Arabs and Muslims for maintaining their relations with Israel.
An open process leading to a formal agreement that will bring normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia does not seem to be in the offing.
As a preliminary component of the deal, Israel would have to agree to a complete ceasefire and Palestinian statehood.
The Biden administration seeks to promote a regional deal that includes ending the war, demanding Hamas return hostages, and reinstating PA forces in Gaza.
It is crucial that Israel clearly and loudly communicates to Sullivan the drawbacks of the proposed normalization and the defense pact and does not rush into signing.
The United States had moved rapidly in the early fall on a triad deal with Saudi Arabia. It included a defense pact between Washington and Riyadh, a normalization deal with Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen made remarks about US intervention in the Middle East, stating "The only change I see in the Americans' stance is because of the upcoming elections in the United States."
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