Israel Hayom: Saudi proposal signals tough demands for Israel

The tough conditions presented by Saudi Arabia for launching direct talks on normalising relations with Israel have stalled progress, delaying final US approval for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom as well as several defence-agreement provisions between Washington and Riyadh.

Despite a positive negotiating atmosphere and progress on Saudi investment in the US and other civilian issues, security matters remain unresolved, and discussions will continue, Israel Hayom reports, citing Washington-based sources.

On normalisation with Israel, Saudi leaders have taken a firm stance: they are willing to begin talks only after the war ends, through the implementation of the second phase of Trump’s plan.

US officials believe this effectively hands the key to normalisation to Hamas — and Hamas, under Iranian pressure, refuses to negotiate or disarm. Iran’s objective is to derail or at least slow a normalisation process that strengthens a regional alliance against it.

Saudi Arabia’s second demand is a clear plan for establishing a Palestinian state. Specifically, Riyadh wants Israel — meaning Netanyahu — to formally endorse the relevant section of Trump’s plan and the UN Security Council’s decisions. The kingdom has also made clear it cannot join the Abraham Accords or move to normalisation with Israel’s current government, which includes the right-wing parties of Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

This relates not only to hostile statements by right-wing lawmakers toward a Palestinian state or Saudi Arabia, but above all to the expansion of settlement activity.

A Saudi diplomatic source said the kingdom’s leadership understands that with the current composition of Netanyahu’s government, it will be difficult to advance the idea of a Palestinian state.

Riyadh does not rule out near-term talks with Israel or even agreements on civil and economic matters, but full normalisation and joining the Abraham Accords are off the table under the present Israeli government.

An Arab diplomatic source added that, in general, official negotiations are expected to begin once the war ends, but until then, unofficial contacts between the countries will continue — and even intensify — under pressure from Trump.

“We estimate that the acceptance of Saudi security requests, or at least most of them, will be announced then,” the source said, referring to supplies of advanced weaponry, including F-35 stealth fighters.

Israel did not block the US plan to sell advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia but asked that the Saudis receive downgraded models and that Israel gain access to sensitive US technologies previously withheld. Washington has only partly agreed.

A security official criticised the diplomatic leadership for involving the defence establishment too late. The IDF is not worried about the sale, noting Israel’s advantage in technology integration and pilot skill.

Politically, Israel has already accepted tough concessions and expects more over regional arms sales, hoping the eventual diplomatic return will justify the cost.

By Jeyhun Aghazada