WSJ-US & Saudi Reach 'Broad Terms' On Israel Normalisation

The Wall St Journal reporting that US and Saudi diplomats have reached 'broad terms' that could see a normalisation deal implemented between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The article claims that "...the broad contours of a deal for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear help, according to U.S. officials." The shift comes shortly after a meeting in Jeddah between Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

• WSJ: "Negotiators have now moved to discussing specifics, including addressing Saudi requests that the U.S. help them develop a civilian nuclear program and offer iron clad security guarantees. The Saudis are also seeking significant concessions from Israel that would help promote the creation of a Palestinian state. In return, the U.S. is pressing Saudi Arabia to impose limits on its growing relationship with China."
• There remain major obstacles to any potential deal though, including
  • A hard line gov't in Israel disinclined to move towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,
  • Saudi hawks in the US wary of allowing greater arms sales to Riyadh in the wake of the use of Saudi materiel in the war in Yemen.
  • The requirement of the US Congress to approve any such deal. May lawmakers remain wary of MBS following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence claims was committed with the crown prince's knowledge
  • A seeming reluctance on behalf of the Saudi leadership to engage in a full normalisation with Israel, as was the case with the UAE as part of the Abraham Accords.