Biden Presses Ahead With Effort to Broker Israeli-Saudi Deal
But in a conversation last week with Thomas L. Friedman, the New York Times columnist, Mr. Biden described a possible deal with many moving parts, any of which could easily trip up such a complicated negotiation but would have far-reaching implications if they were resolved.
Among other things, the Saudis are pressing for a NATO-level mutual security pact with the United States, long a taboo among American policymakers who do not want to be committed to coming to the defense of a nondemocratic monarchy if it were attacked. Saudi Arabia, like Israel, worries about Iranian hostility.
The Saudis also want access to sophisticated American weapons, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense antiballistic missile defense system, known as THAAD. And they want Israel to take steps to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution to resolve the long-running conflict with the Palestinians.
The American side is pushing for the Saudis to ensure a permanent end to the fighting in next-door Yemen, cementing a temporary cease-fire that took hold last year; to provide extensive new aid to Palestinian institutions in the West Bank; and to curb its newfound relationship with China, which last year played host to talks that restored diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
It was not entirely clear what conditions to which Israel would have to agree, but Mr. Friedman floated ideas like a permanent commitment not to annex the West Bank and limits on future settlements. The negotiations come at a time of friction between the United States and Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes through legislation to curb judicial authority in defiance of Mr. Biden and hundreds of thousands of protesters in the streets.
Source: The New York Times
