Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, recently discussed the possibility of recognizing Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Prince Faisal emphasized establishing peace for the Palestinians as a precursor to peace for Israel. He asserted that regional peace, including for Israel, hinges on the creation of a Palestinian state. When asked about recognizing Israel in the context of a broader political agreement, Prince Faisal affirmed, “Certainly.”
Further, Prince Faisal linked the Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea to the war in Gaza. He highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. At the Davos meeting, he reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to de-escalation and peace in the region, prioritizing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Before the conflict on October 7, it was widely speculated that Israel and Saudi Arabia were nearing a landmark agreement for normalization. However, this was disrupted by a violent incident involving a large number of individuals identified with Hamas. During this incident, they crossed the border into Israel, resulting in the tragic loss of around 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians. Additionally, approximately 240 people, spanning various age groups, were taken as hostages in Gaza.
