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Two positions from Saudi Arabia from a current and former official were notable at the Manama conference yesterday. Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan says his country is still open to the full normalization of relations with “Israel”, while former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal attacks Israel.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan, during his participation in the “Manama Dialogue”
The “Jerusalem Post” newspaper reported that Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that his country is still open to the full normalization of relations with “Israel” and to join the Ibrahim Accords. He said yesterday at the “Manama Dialogue” conference held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain: It is important that the Palestinians and the Israelis return to the negotiating table that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state within “the lines that are universally understood as ultimately forming “a Palestinian state, as he put it.
Farhan said that the establishment of a Palestinian state “would bring about peace.” The newspaper noted that “both King Fahd’s peace initiative in 1982 in Fez, Morocco, and the Arab peace initiative led by Saudi Arabia in 2002 suggested a total normalization in the past with Israel.”
He added that “Israel will take its place in the region, but for that to happen and to be sustainable, we need the Palestinians to obtain their status and solve this situation.”
And “Israel” participated in the conference openly for the first time.
This comes after a visit revealed by Israeli media to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Saudi Arabia, during which he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although Riyadh denied the meeting took place. At a time when the Kingdom seeks to repair its image in Washington with the next administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
A sharp debate between a Saudi official and the Israeli foreign minister
For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi had a strong discussion on Friday with former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal, who was also Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington, during a session attended by the two at the security conference in Bahrain’s capital Manama, according to media reports. Israeli.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal emphasized that his statements represent his own position, and strongly attacked “Israel”, accusing it of hypocrisy. According to him, “Israel” affirms on the one hand that it is an existential threat and wants peace, but on the other hand it occupies the Palestinian territories and bombs the Arab countries and possesses nuclear weapons. “
“The Israelis want to establish relations with Saudi Arabia, but they send their attack dogs in the international media against Saudi Arabia. An open wound cannot be treated with painkillers; it cannot be called the Abrahamic Accords without a role for Saudi Arabia. I ask the Israelis to accept our extended hand and accept the peace initiative, “he added. Arab: Only then can we face Iran together. “
Ashkenazi, who spoke immediately afterward, expressed regret at the Saudi prince’s remarks, saying: “I don’t think these remarks reflect the spirit of change in the Middle East.”
Ashkenazi added that he hoped the normalization agreements would lead to the resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians, noting that “the Abraham agreements do not replace negotiations with the Palestinians.”
Ashkenazi said: “I call on the Palestinians to review their position and enter into direct negotiations with us without preconditions.” Israel “goes from annexation to normalization, so there is a window of opportunity to find a solution to the conflict.”
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