Tue Nov 12 12:26:19 UTC 2024: ## US and Saudi Arabia Explore Limited Security Deal Amidst Stalled Normalization with Israel
**Washington, D.C.** – Despite the current impasse in Israeli-Saudi normalization talks, senior officials from both countries met in Washington last week to discuss a potential security agreement. This comes as reports indicate that Riyadh is reluctant to formalize relations with Israel due to the ongoing military campaign in Gaza and Israel’s resistance to a Palestinian state.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that while full normalization remains on hold, the US and Saudi Arabia are exploring a limited security agreement that could be signed before President Biden leaves office in January.
The talks followed a visit from Saudi National Security Adviser Musaad Bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, who met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and key White House officials.
The US has been pushing for Saudi-Israeli normalization, but Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that any such deal is contingent upon a resolution of the Palestinian issue. Riyadh has advocated for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan recently reiterated this stance, stating that while Saudi Arabia may advance certain US agreements, it remains committed to advocating for Palestinian statehood.
Adding to the current tension, Saudi Arabia plans to host an Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11th to discuss Israel’s actions in Palestine and Lebanon. The summit will call on the international community to condemn the violence.
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