Israeli officials tell i24NEWS Saudis show little appetite for normalization despite Trump’s optimism
A senior diplomatic official tells i24NEWS there is no evidence of an imminent breakthrough, despite Israel’s intelligence assistance to Riyadh against the Houthis
Despite President Donald Trump’s claim that the Abraham Accords are back on the table following Israel’s assistance to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, Israeli officials are lowering expectations, i24NEWS understands.
“Riyadh is showing little appetite for advancing normalization,” an Israeli source tells i24NEWS.
A senior Israeli diplomatic official tells i24NEWS: “There is no evidence to substantiate that we are on the verge of a dramatic move. But who knows what the future holds.”
Prior to October 7, Saudi Arabia was close to advancing a normalization deal with Israel. Over the past three years, however, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has moved significantly further away from the prospect of relations with Israel, partly due to Saudi public opinion.
Despite Israel’s intelligence assistance against the Houthis, Saudi authorities refused to allow an Israeli aircraft to evacuate passengers after a FlyDubai flight made an emergency landing on Saudi territory.