Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has expressed fears of assassination due to his support for normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to a report by US publication Politico on Wednesday. The Crown Prince reportedly shared these concerns with members of the US Congress, drawing a parallel with Anwar Sadat, the former Egyptian leader who was assassinated in the 1980s after signing a peace agreement with Israel.
Prince Mohammed’s apprehensions have intensified amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has fueled widespread anger across the Arab world. This situation, according to the Crown Prince, underscores the need for any normalization deal with Israel to include a credible path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Crown Prince is believed to have discussed the potential threats he faces, emphasizing that the success of such a deal hinges on addressing the Palestinian issue, particularly in the current climate of heightened tensions.
The report by Politico outlines the broad framework of a largely secretive and still-evolving agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States. The deal is said to involve multiple commitments, including security guarantees for Saudi Arabia through a treaty, assistance in developing a civilian nuclear program, and economic investments in areas like technology. In exchange for these benefits, Saudi Arabia would limit its ties with China and move towards establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, the Israeli government’s reluctance to commit to a genuine path towards a Palestinian state has been a significant sticking point. The Crown Prince’s insistence on including this aspect in the agreement reflects the complex dynamics at play. While he views the normalization of ties with Israel as a strategic move that could benefit Saudi Arabia, he is acutely aware of the potential backlash, both within his country and across the Arab world, if the Palestinian issue is not adequately addressed.
The report describes Prince Mohammed’s approach as a “clever diplomatic marketing strategy,” suggesting that his public expression of concerns over personal safety could be a calculated move to gain leverage in negotiations. By invoking the memory of Anwar Sadat, who paid the ultimate price for his peace efforts with Israel, the Crown Prince might be seeking to underscore the risks he is taking and to justify his demands for stronger conditions in any agreement.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has undoubtedly complicated the already sensitive negotiations. The Crown Prince’s concerns highlight the delicate balance he must strike between pursuing a historic diplomatic breakthrough and managing the expectations and emotions of the Arab populace, who largely sympathize with the Palestinian cause.
As the details of the potential Saudi-Israeli normalization continue to unfold, the world will be watching closely to see how these negotiations progress and whether the Crown Prince’s fears will influence the final outcome. The stakes are high, not only for the future of Saudi-Israeli relations but also for the broader stability of the Middle East.
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