According to the American Wall Street Journal, there is a dispute between the Saudi heir and his father • The king has not been updated on the contacts between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi
Saudi Crown Prince Ben Salman with US President Trump
Photo:
Reuters
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed interest in signing a deal to normalize relations with Israel after the UAE and Bahrain, but has met with opposition from his father, King Salman, the Wall Street Journal reported last night (Friday).
According to the report, there is a dispute between Salman and his son regarding recognition of Israel.
While the king has for years supported the Arab boycott and demand for the establishment of a Palestinian state, the prince is interested in establishing economic relations with Israel and establishing a united front with Iran.
All this, while skipping over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in light of the difficulties in reaching a breakthrough and a solution.
The Wall Street Journal reports that King Salman, who was on his summer vacation, was shocked by US President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
It was further alleged that the heir did not update his father at all regarding the forthcoming agreement between Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem.
In fact, it was reported that Salman feared his father's opposition to an agreement that would not contribute to the Palestinians' demand for a state.
The king so opposed to him would have known about the political developments, the UAE could not have signed an agreement so easily.
Accordingly, following the announcement of the normalization of relations, King Salman demanded that the Saudi Foreign Minister prepare a formal declaration of commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The American newspaper reported that during a meeting between US adviser Jared Kushner and the heir apparent, the prince said his father "would never accept the normalization agreement between Israel and the Saudi Arabian kingdom."
Ben Salman stressed that the most significant thing Saudi Arabia can do at the moment because of his father's opposition is to contribute to Bahrain joining an American-mediated agreement.