Key Points
- Trump secures $142B Saudi defence deals but avoids linking them to Israel normalisation.
- Gaza war and Israeli opposition to Palestinian statehood derail Biden’s normalisation plans.
- Saudi Arabia insists on Palestinian statehood; Netanyahu rejects the two-state solution.
- Trump lifts Syria sanctions, signalling foreign policy shift, and skips Israel in Middle East tour.
Purple Carpet Welcome: Trump’s Saudi Visit Prioritises Deals Over Diplomacy
President Donald Trump arrived in Riyadh to a royal purple carpet reception, flanked by Saudi officials and business leaders. The visit emphasised economic and defence partnerships, sidelining Biden’s stalled Saudi-Israel normalisation agenda.
Question: Why has Trump avoided tying Saudi deals to Israel relations?
Analysts say Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood make normalisation politically impossible for Riyadh.
Biden’s Failed Normalization vs. Trump’s Pragmatic Deals
The Biden administration offered Saudi Arabia a security pact and nuclear aid in exchange for recognizing Israel. However, Saudi Arabia’s adherence to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which conditions recognition on Palestinian statehood, clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s refusal to negotiate.
Did You Know? What were the Abraham Accords?
Trump’s 2020 agreements normalized Israel-UAE/Bahrain ties but ignored Palestinian rights, fueling regional unrest.
With Gaza’s death toll surpassing 52,900 and Israel expanding West Bank settlements, Saudi Arabia has labeled Israeli actions “genocide,” killing hopes for a deal.
Gaza War Exposes Diplomatic Failures The October 2023 escalation, rooted in Gaza’s decades-long struggle for self-determination and statehood, derailed Biden’s normalization efforts. While Biden attributed the collapse to Hamas’s attack, experts argue the war underscored the futility of sidelining Palestinian rights. International organizations, including the UN, have repeatedly emphasized that resisting occupation is protected under international law, framing Gaza’s resistance as part of a broader quest for freedom.
Can Saudi-Israel ties progress without Palestinian statehood?
No. Saudi leaders publicly demand Palestinian rights, a red line for Netanyahu’s far-right government.
$142B Defence Pact Deepens US-Saudi Ties
Trump announced a $142 billion package to modernize Saudi Arabia’s military, including advanced weapons and training. While not a mutual defence pact, the deal signals strategic alignment independent of Israel.
Anna Jacobs of the Arab Gulf States Institute noted,
“Trump is prioritizing Gulf partnerships over deadlocked diplomacy with Israel.”
Syria Sanctions Lifted in Surprise Shift
Trump revealed plans to lift Syria sanctions after talks with Saudi and Turkish leaders, rewarding post-Assad “progress.” Critics warn new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s militant past risks legitimizing extremism.
Why ease Syria sanctions now?
Trump claims it’s a “pivot to peace,” but experts see a bid to counter Iranian influence.
Israel Excluded as US-Gulf Ties Strengthen
Trump’s itinerary skipped Israel, reflecting strained ties over Iran talks and a Houthi ceasefire deal ignoring Israeli security. Khaled Elgindy of Georgetown University said,
“Saudi Arabia can’t normalize relations after accusing Israel of genocide.”
