Saudis Appoint First Ambassador To Palestine, Indicating Their Intentions In Peace Talks With Israel

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In an apparent hint at Saudi Arabian demands in the evolving peace treaty with Israel, the Saudis have appointed their first ambassador to the Palestinians, who will currently reside in Jordan, according to a report by Ynet news.

Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi became the kingdom’s first-ever ambassador to the Palestinian Authority and consul general in Jerusalem after presenting his credentials to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’s advisor for diplomatic affairs, Majdi al-Khalidi.

Al-Khalidi welcomed the appointment, noting that “this significant step will strengthen the robust and solid brotherly ties binding the two countries.”

Al-Sadiri will remain ambassador to Jordan and will act as a non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian Authority. Al-Sadiri’s appointment dovetails with recent reports on normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia, spearheaded by the Biden administration. According to current reports, the Saudis are conditioning such an agreement on “significant steps from Israel toward the Palestinians.” The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, is “in no rush” for an agreement, in part due to Israel’s coalition government, which opposes an independent Palestinian state.

Contrary to recent claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports have indicated that the Saudis will seek “substantial” concessions regarding the Palestinians in any future agreement, potentially advancing the establishment of a Palestinian state.

A senior official in Jerusalem told Ynet Friday night that “an agreement with Saudi Arabia is a genuine American interest,” adding, “Washington will make a huge effort; it’s crucial for them in the competition with China over influence in many regions, including the Middle East.”

Regarding potential concessions to the Palestinians that might be central to a future agreement, the Jerusalem source said, “It’s clear they will ask for big things, and we might have to give something, but it won’t be dramatic.”