the Illusion of normalization: Why saudi Arabia’s Potential Deal with israel Changes Nothing for Palestine

Published: 2025/11/21 19:02:59

As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visits the White House, the prospect of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia looms large. While Donald Trump avoids definitive language,hinting at MBS’s positive view of the Abraham accords,and MBS himself expresses a desire to join,a critical question remains: at what cost to Palestine?

The Abraham Accords: A Façade of Peace?

The Abraham Accords,brokered by the Trump management in 2020,saw Israel normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates,Bahrain,Sudan,and Morocco. proponents hailed them as a breakthrough for regional peace. However, critics argue they sidelined the Palestinian issue, offering economic incentives in exchange for political concessions without addressing the core conflict.

What the Accords Achieved (and Didn’t)

• Economic Benefits: The Accords opened up new avenues for trade, tourism, and investment between Israel and the participating Arab nations.
• Strategic Alignment: They strengthened a regional alliance against Iran, a shared concern for Israel and several Gulf states.
• Palestinian Exclusion: Critically, the Accords were negotiated without Palestinian participation or consent, effectively marginalizing their claims.

The fundamental problem with the Abraham Accords is that they prioritize regional power dynamics over the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.They create a false narrative of normalization, suggesting that peace is achievable without a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Saudi Arabia’s Conditions: A Two-State Solution?

MBS has stated that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords is contingent on a “clear path” to a two-state solution.This sounds promising, but the devil is in the details. Israel’s current government, dominated by far-right factions, has consistently undermined the possibility of a viable Palestinian state.

Israel’s Obstacles to a Two-State Solution

• Settlement Expansion: continued construction of israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank renders a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly impossible.
• Gaza Blockade: The ongoing blockade of Gaza, now exacerbated by recent conflicts, creates a humanitarian crisis and prevents economic growth.
• Restrictions on Palestinian Movement: Severe restrictions on Palestinian movement within the West Bank and Gaza limit their ability to build a functioning society.

Given these realities,it’s challenging to see how a “clear path” to a two-state solution can be established while Israel continues its policies of occupation and dispossession. Saudi Arabia’s insistence on this condition may be a strategic maneuver to appease domestic and international criticism, rather than a genuine commitment to Palestinian rights.

The US Role: Facilitating Normalization at Any Cost?

The United States has been a key driver of the Abraham Accords and is actively pushing for Saudi Arabia to join. This pursuit of normalization, even as Israel continues to violate ceasefire agreements in gaza, raises serious questions about US foreign policy priorities. Is the US prioritizing regional stability and strategic alliances over the pursuit of justice and human rights for Palestinians?

The US approach risks further entrenching the status quo, where Israel enjoys impunity for its actions and Palestinians are left with diminishing prospects for self-determination. it sends a dangerous message that normalization can proceed nonetheless of the ongoing occupation and the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Key Takeaways

• The abraham Accords prioritized regional power dynamics over Palestinian rights.
• Saudi Arabia’s potential participation is conditional on a two-state solution,but Israel’s actions undermine this possibility.
• The US push for normalization risks entrenching the occupation and marginalizing Palestinians.
• True peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring justice for Palestinians.

Looking Ahead

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords and what impact this will have on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.It is imperative that the international community, including the United States, holds Israel accountable for its actions and prioritizes a just and lasting solution that respects the rights of all people in the region. Normalization without genuine progress towards Palestinian self-determination is not peace; it is indeed simply a continuation of injustice under a new guise.