Politico reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is in danger due to his efforts to build closer ties with Israel. The report, shared with U.S. Congress members, says that Prince Mohammed’s life is at risk because of his negotiations with the U.S. and Israel.
The Crown Prince has been quoted as saying that his role as the guardian of Islam’s holy sites could be jeopardized if he does not address what he sees as a major regional injustice. Despite the threats, he remains determined to pursue these relations for Saudi Arabia’s future.
The Israeli government is pushing back against these efforts, particularly regarding the issue of a Palestinian state. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia made it clear that it would not move forward with diplomatic relations unless there was progress on recognizing a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ending Israeli actions in Gaza.
Despite earlier positive signs from the Biden administration about normalization talks, Saudi Arabia continues to emphasize its stance on the Palestinian issue.
