Israel’s top diplomat sees no quick breakthrough with Saudi Arabia
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Reaching a deal to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia will likely be “an extended and cautious course of”, however Israel believes it could occur, Overseas Minister Yair Lapid mentioned on Monday.
Israel has mentioned it hopes to construct on its 2020 U.S.-brokered accords with 4 Muslim nations and set up diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, house to Islam’s holiest two websites, has conditioned any eventual normalization with Israel on the addressing of the Palestinians’ quest for statehood on territory captured by Israel within the 1967 Center East struggle.
Lapid, talking on Israel’s Military Radio, mentioned that ought to an settlement emerge, it could not are available a shock announcement prefer it did with earlier offers, which embody agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
“We won’t get up one morning to a shock, moderately will probably be an extended and cautious course of on either side. There are safety pursuits for each international locations,” Lapid mentioned.
He added it could be a “gradual technique of small particulars” however that he believed a deal may very well be reached.
“We’re engaged on this with the People, with a few of our mates within the Gulf international locations, in many various echelons. Egypt is in fact a major participant,” Lapid mentioned.
(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Modifying by Tomasz Janowski)
