US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to promote potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, ahead of a meeting in London on Friday with Arab foreign ministers regarding the wars in the Middle East.
Before departing Tel Aviv for Riyadh, Blinken urged Israel to seize the “incredible opportunity” to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, even as it is engaged in conflict with Palestinian Hamas in Gaza and pro-Iranian Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“This remains, despite the ongoing situation, an incredible opportunity in this region to move in a completely different direction that offers a sustainable path for Israel's security and its place in the region,” he said. “Saudi Arabia would be at the heart of this, which includes potential normalization of relations with Israel,” he added.
This marks Blinken's 11th trip since October 7, 2023, when the war triggered by the unprecedented attack by the Islamist Hamas movement on Israel began.
The conflict in Gaza has stalled efforts to reach an agreement that would see Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, recognize Israel in exchange for, among other things, a defense pact with Washington and US assistance for a civilian nuclear program.
In Tel Aviv, the head of US diplomacy stated that “now is the time” to end the war in Gaza, noting that Israel has achieved “most of its strategic objectives” there.
However, Blinken did not announce a relaunch of ceasefire negotiations, just two weeks before the US elections and following months of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts.
The Secretary of State is scheduled to meet with Arab foreign ministers in London on Friday to discuss Israel's wars against Hamas and Hezbollah, as announced by the State Department.
He will meet them after talks in Qatar on Thursday, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, who did not specify which Arab ministers would be present in the British capital.
(With AFP)
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