As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his visit to Washington this month, Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed that it will not normalise relations with Israel without a clear roadmap to Palestinian statehood. Despite recent optimism from US President Donald Trump, Riyadh has privately conveyed to Washington that its position remains unchanged. The kingdom insists that any diplomatic breakthrough must include firm commitments to establish a sovereign Palestinian state, reflecting a longstanding Saudi policy rooted in the Arab Peace Initiative.
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The upcoming White House meeting between Trump and the Crown Prince is expected to focus on defence and investment cooperation rather than the politically sensitive issue of Israel normalisation. Saudi officials aim to avoid any public confusion or premature statements before the talks on November 18. Analysts believe Crown Prince Mohammed will use the meeting to push for stronger US backing for Palestinian statehood, while simultaneously seeking assurances for Saudi national security and economic interests.
For Saudi Arabia, formal ties with Israel represent far more than a symbolic step — they carry deep political, religious, and security implications. As the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, the kingdom must balance regional diplomacy with domestic sensitivities, especially amid lingering anger over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Saudi officials have repeatedly stated that any agreement must include Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of the Palestinian Authority, and the creation of an internationally supervised protection mechanism to guarantee Palestinian safety and sovereignty.
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Meanwhile, discussions between Riyadh and Washington are advancing on a separate but strategically important defence pact. The proposed deal, though less comprehensive than the full treaty once sought by the Saudis, would significantly deepen military and technological cooperation between the two allies. It would also expand joint exercises, accelerate arms sales, and include clauses restricting Saudi Arabia’s growing defence and technology ties with China. Officials describe the agreement as a “stepping stone” that could evolve into a formal treaty if progress is made on Israel–Palestine talks.
Regional dynamics, however, have shifted dramatically since the Gaza conflict reignited in 2023. Iran’s weakened influence — due to repeated Israeli strikes on its nuclear and proxy networks — has lessened Saudi urgency for a NATO-style security guarantee. Nevertheless, the kingdom seeks lasting assurances of US protection to secure its long-term stability. For now, Riyadh’s message remains consistent: only when Palestinian statehood is credibly addressed will Saudi Arabia consider normalising ties with Israel, keeping the path to peace in the Middle East both delicate and uncertain.