Normalization with Israel would bring 'tremendous benefit,' Saudi FM says
Faisal bin Farhan stresses normalizing ties between Jerusalem and Riyadh depends on peace progress
Forging normal ties with Israel would bring "tremendous benefit" to the Middle East, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told CNN on Thursday.
He stressed, however, that any agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Jewish state would depend on progress towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"I think normalizing Israel's status within the region would bring tremendous benefit to the region as a whole," bin Farhan told the channel.
"It would be extremely helpful both economically but also socially and from a security perspective."
Last year, Israel normalized ties with four Arab nations -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan -- in accords brokered by former President Donald Trump.
While hailing the developments, Saudi Arabia did not follow suit, stressing that it would want to see a two-state solution implemented first.
Nevertheless, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly travelled to Saudi Arabia in November for secret talks that Riyadh denied.
Later on, i24NEWS learned that talks were underway between Israel and four regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, on establishing a defense pact.