Normalisation of Relations Between Saudi Arabia and Israel: Assessment of Critical Aspects

Abstract

The West Asian region has experienced several unexpected fluctuations in the interactions between the regional players since the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2010-2011. Since then, some very new camaraderie emerged while some strong and old affinities broke down. However, the unprecedented overture between Saudi Arabia and Israel is the most noticeable feature of the unfolding situation within the region. Although the two countries do not have formal diplomatic ties, there have been several stories in recent years of covert exchanges between them in the fields of intelligence sharing, security, and counterterrorism during the previous few decades. The latest developments in the region indicate that Saudi Arabia's perspective on the Palestinian problems is shifting, despite a claim that the Kingdom adheres to a principled approach towards the normalisation of relations with Israel-which is about a just solution to the Palestinian question. This paper is set to assess how the region's changing geopolitical landscape is driving Saudi Arabia to revisit its foreign policies in all its parameters and, in particular, its perspective on opening diplomatic relations with the Jewish State of Israel. The study will also discuss the essential elements in the evolution of the normalisation narrative between the Kingdom and Israel. It further argues that the absence of a fair resolution to the Palestine conflict in the near future, Iran's pursuit of regional dominance, and Saudi Arabia's increasing demand for technical investment are some of the contributing causes to this normalisation. This article places these elements in the context of the pragmatism-ideology schism and the way Saudi foreign policy is currently being framed under the direction of Mohammad bin Salman.