Several Islamic bodies, led by Al-Azhar Mosque, the Union of Muslim Scholars, and bodies of Muslim scholars in Algeria and Sudan, announced their total support for the Palestinian people’s struggle. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) sternly forbids such a move in the Kingdom.
According to reliable sources, MBS instructed the Council of Senior Scholars’ members and the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance, Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Sheikh, to refrain from supporting the Aqsa Flood operation in any way.
According to the sources, MBS requested that the State Security Service and the Minister of the Interior increase their presence in the Two Holy Mosques on Friday, in addition to some of the Kingdom’s mosques.
The United States previously stated that the attacks carried out by Hamas on Israel would not affect the normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel, while affirming that it is collaborating with a number of allies to reestablish peace in the region.
However, reports based on American, Saudi, and Israeli officials indicated that there are major difficulties hindering reaching the agreement, due to Israel’s failure to agree to many Saudi demands, including the Kingdom obtaining a nuclear program.
Recent reports stated that Saudi Arabia is willing to improve relations with Israel and that MBS is not opposed to doing so, but that King Salman bin Abdulaziz is the main hindrance in the way.
Secret meetings between Saudi-Israeli leaders at the political and intelligence levels are among the steps toward a normalization agreement, according to sources at the Royal Debt. MBS has already given orders to establish a favorable internal environment that welcomes normalization.
Earlier, Israeli journalist Enrique Zimmerman noted that since the improvement in relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, “we have begun to notice the presence of a Jewish community in Riyadh and the activity of Israeli businessmen who have been working in the Kingdom for some time.” He added: “We are facing the beginning of a new era. There are new things that have begun, but they will take more time.”
The Israeli journalist noted that “news about official relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel have increased in recent weeks” and that “information about the establishment of future relations between the two parties has multiplied.”
In an article late last month, the Economist highlighted the results of the 2023 Arab Youth Survey, stressing that “domestic obstacles remain significant” for a normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli regime.
“Even a near-absolute monarchy must take some account of public opinion. Only 2% of young Saudi Arabians support normalisation of relations with Israel, according to the 2023 Arab Youth Survey, compared with 75% in the United Arab Emirates and 73% in Egypt (both countries have formal ties with the Jewish state),” the Economist wrote.
According to the article, Riyadh’s motivation for normalization is “a new strategic alliance with America”, as the kingdom also pushes for developing a nuclear energy program as part of the deal with Israel.
The paper said that MBS does little to hide his relish at the prospect of a strategic pact between America, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
In a rare television interview on September 20th, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the country’s de facto ruler acknowledged with a smile that an agreement is on the cards. “Every day we get closer. It seems it’s for the first time real, serious.”
According to the article, Riyadh’s motivation for normalization is “a new strategic alliance with the United States,” as the Arab kingdom is also trying to develop a nuclear energy program as part of the agreement with Israel.
Washington’s efforts to add Saudi Arabia to the list of Arab countries that have signed the normalization agreements come at a critical time when Biden is seeking re-election, and the US government has been embarrassed by the kingdom’s strengthening ties with Iran and Syria, and its increased gravitation toward China.
“The potential for a deal between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel may be huge, but the political window to achieve it is small,” the Economist article added.
