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Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said that “the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through dialogue and concessions that both parties will make,” speaking of “the possibility of returning to the negotiating table.”
Ashkenazi, who attended the Manama Dialogue remotely, faced criticism from Prince Turki al-Faisal, who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the United States and the United Kingdom, and who said that any normalization agreement should help the Palestinians obtain their independent status.
Turki described Israel as a “Western colonial” power, saying that Israel “imprisoned Palestinians in concentration camps under the most horrible security charges: young and old, women and men, who rot there without recourse to justice. They tear down houses as they please and kill whoever they want. “
Al-Faisal added: “The Israelis want relations with Saudi Arabia, but they send their vicious dogs to the media against us. An open wound cannot be treated with painkillers. Only through the Arab Peace Initiative will we be able to confront Iran, and this cannot be called the Abrahamic agreements without the participation of Saudi Arabia. “
Although Al-Faisal does not hold any official position, his position is considered to reflect faithfully that of King Salman.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, who spoke immediately after Al-Faisal, said: “I would like to express my regret for the statements of the Saudi representative” and “I do not think they reflect the spirit and the changes that are taking place in the Middle East”.
Ashkenazi said: “We have a choice to go to the accusation game as in the past, or an opportunity that we propose for peace. The Abraham accords opened a window to change opportunities. We hope that Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians come together to expand the circle and not continue playing the game of accusations as in the past. “
For his part, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, renewed during the Manama Dialogue, his country’s position that Saudi Arabia is open to full normalization with Israel, provided that the two-state arrangement and the recognition of one state Palestinian. He noted that “it is important for the Palestinians to obtain their independent status,” adding: “The establishment of a Palestinian state will achieve peace in the region.”
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed a peace treaty with Israel under the auspices of the United States. This treaty includes the establishment of full relations with Israel, including the exchange of opening embassies in these countries.
Saudi Arabia allowed Israeli planes to cross its airspace if they were on a flight to or from Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. And Israeli media reports confirmed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Saudi Arabia, and his meeting with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, in the Red Sea town of Neom in early November. However, Saudi Arabia denied that this meeting took place.
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