Saudi Crown Prince rejects Trump’s push for normalization with Israel: Report
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rejected a request by US President Donald Trump to move toward normalization with Israel during their recent summit in Washington, Axios reported on Tuesday.
According to the outlet, the talks touched on Washington’s desire for Riyadh to join the expanding circle of regional peace agreements.
However, the Crown Prince strongly reiterated the Kingdom’s long-standing position that any normalization is contingent on Israel accepting a two-state solution and establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The Saudi Crown Prince dealt firmly with Trump’s request and held fast to his position,” Axios reported, adding that two US officials described Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a “strong leader.”
“During the Nov. 18 meeting, Trump was the one who raised the issue and pressed hard MBS to join the Abraham Accords,” Axios reported, citing US officials. “At that point the conversation got tense, the officials say. As Trump pressed, MBS pushed back,” the report said.
The Crown Prince arrived in Washington on an official working visit on October 18 at the direction of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, following an invitation from President Trump. The two held talks at the White House amid what has been widely described as an exceptionally warm reception.
During a subsequent press conference, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s vision for resolving the Middle East conflict.
He emphasized that the Kingdom seeks peace with Israel, the Palestinians, and the region at large, but only through a “clear plan” that ensures a genuine path toward a two-state solution.
Riyadh has repeatedly underscored the need for a just resolution that begins with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and ultimately leads to comprehensive and lasting regional peace. The Kingdom has long positioned itself as a champion of dialogue and peaceful solutions across the Middle East.
