The crown prince may suggest a compromise that puts Palestinians at danger because he views Hamas as a regional threat
Leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will meet in Riyadh today to discuss Donald Trump’s proposal for a US takeover of Gaza. (Saudi Arabia is keen to be seen as a global deal maker, and this week it will host negotiations over Ukraine.) Saudi Arabia has suddenly had a diplomatic awakening after a lacklustre engagement with the conflict in Gaza.
Trump’s ridiculous “Riviera plan” to rebuild Gaza after its citizens were forced to relocate to surrounding nations worried Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He intends to work with Arab leaders to put forth a different strategy that centres on the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Without a Palestinian state, the crown prince has maintained that Israel cannot become normalised.
He might be able to stop the Palestinians from being forced out of Gaza and from being relocated to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Jordan in the near future. While leaving Palestinians in makeshift shelters on their own territory, the summit promises to generate enough money for reconstruction.
Finding a different authority to take over as Gaza’s government in place of Hamas will be the summit’s more pressing and difficult task. Although Prince Mohammed has vowed to oppose a number of Islamist movements, his hatred of Hamas is deeper. He blames it for thwarting his intention to conclude normalisation with Israel by October 7, 2023.
Domestic interest is the driving force behind the crown prince’s resolve to normalise relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia wants greater trade ties and the transfer of Israeli technology, military hardware, and intelligence. Above all, he expects that a step like this will result in stronger security ties with the United States.
Prince Mohammed is unlikely to succeed in the long run for two reasons. Given that Benjamin Netanyahu adamantly rejects Palestinian statehood and sovereignty, Israel will first prove to be a significant barrier.Prince Mohammed is unlikely to succeed in the long run for two reasons. Given that Benjamin Netanyahu adamantly rejects Palestinian statehood and sovereignty, Israel will first prove to be a significant barrier.
