Biden: Saudi Arabia ready to recognise Israel in exchange for US security guarantees

US President Joe Biden disclosed that Saudi Arabia has expressed a desire to fully recognise Israel in exchange for security assurances from the United States.

Speaking in an interview on 360 with Speedy, Biden highlighted the potential diplomatic manoeuvre, Caliber.Az reports.

“I got a call from the Saudis — they want to fully recognise Israel,” Biden stated, indicating a significant shift in Saudi policy towards Israel.

While Riyadh has not publicly confirmed such intentions, Saudi officials have consistently maintained that normalization of relations with Israel hinges on Israel’s commitment to establishing a pathway to a Palestinian state — a condition staunchly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Biden, however, did not mention the Palestinian condition in his remarks. Instead, he emphasized Saudi Arabia’s request for US security guarantees, particularly in the event of threats from neighbouring Arab nations, which he suggested included Iran, a non-Arab regional rival.

“What Saudi Arabia wants in exchange for normalizing relations with Israel is a guarantee that the US will provide them weapons if they’re attacked by other Arab nations — one just around the corner,” Biden elaborated.

In addition to military assurances, Biden unveiled plans for the United States to facilitate the establishment of a civilian nuclear facility in Saudi Arabia, to be operated by the US military. The aim, Biden explained, was to support Saudi Arabia’s transition away from fossil fuels.

“This is a big game changer in the whole region,” Biden remarked, underscoring the potential impact of the proposed arrangements.

Despite these developments, prospects for brokering a normalization deal before the November presidential election appear slim. Democratic and Republican sources indicated that time constraints would likely prevent Senate hearings necessary for approving the defence guarantees to Saudi Arabia.