By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
RIYADH/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Saudi Arabia has softened its position on Palestinian statehood, telling Washington that “a public commitment” from Israel to a two-state solution “could be enough” for the Gulf kingdom to normalize relations with the Jewish nation, according to Saudi and Western officials.
In remarks Friday, the officials also announced that Riyadh abandoned its pursuit of an “ambitious defense treaty” with Washington and sought “a more modest military cooperation agreement” in return for regular ties with Israel.
According to Western diplomats familiar with his thinking, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views normalization with Saudi Arabia as a historical milestone and a sign of broader acceptance in the Arab world.
But he faces opposition at home to any concessions to Palestinians in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people.
And with public anger in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East mounting over Israel’s strikes against Hamas in Gaza, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has again made recognition of Israel conditional on it taking concrete steps to create a Palestinian state.
Yet, with U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump soon becoming dealmaker-in-chief, Riyadh and Washington hope a more modest defense pact could be sealed before Joe Biden leaves the White House on January 20.
A full-blown U.S.-Saudi treaty would need to pass the U.S. Senate with a two-thirds majority, and this would be a non-starter unless Riyadh recognizes Israel, several sources said.
However, Trump has made it clear that he wants to extend the Abraham Accords, which already include agreements on Arab–Israeli normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain, on September 15, 2020.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Israel has begun preparations for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ, a major Christian milestone expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2030.
Powerful flash floods have swept away churches, damaged schools and homes, and severed vital transportation routes in a remote border region of northeastern India.
Americans launched nearly 3.5 million new businesses during the first half of 2026, signaling continued confidence in free enterprise despite inflation, elevated interest rates and instability in global markets.
New York City distributed more than $2.6 billion in cash assistance to nearly 865,000 residents during 2025, marking a dramatic expansion of the city’s welfare system as concerns grow over taxes, spending, and the potential departure of high-income residents.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook Peru’s central Andes region, killing at least five people, injuring more than 20 others, and damaging numerous buildings, including a church and convent, authorities said Sunday.
Hungary’s President Tamás Sulyok sealed his fate late Saturday by signing a constitutional amendment that will prematurely end his presidency after months of relentless pressure from Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
Malaysia’s prime minister has warned that his Islamic nation will immediately deport any Israeli citizens found in the country.