Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed fears for his life due to his support for normalizing Saudi-Israeli relations, a move seen as a strategic diplomatic effort to secure a deal favorable to Riyadh.
According to a Wednesday report by American publication Politico, Mohammed bin Salman shared his concerns with members of the U.S. Congress, citing the example of Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated after signing a peace treaty with Israel in the 1980s.
Politico further reported that Prince Mohammed discussed the threats he faces and emphasized the importance of including a genuine path to a Palestinian state in any such agreement, especially in light of the increased Arab anger towards Tel Aviv due to the Gaza conflict.
The ongoing secret and yet-to-be-finalized negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Washington involve various promises, including security guarantees, support for a civilian nuclear program, and economic investments in sectors like technology. In return, Saudi Arabia would limit its dealings with China and establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, the Israeli government is reportedly not willing to include a credible agreement for a Palestinian state in the deal, which Politico described as a clever diplomatic marketing strategy.
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Prince Mohammed bin Salman also informed U.S. Congress members of his desire for any potential agreement with Israel to include a real pathway to a Palestinian state, particularly in a time of heightened Arab anger against Israel.
“Al-Sinwar, we need a solution,” cries a desperate Palestinian from Gaza.
For the past 10 months, Israeli attacks on Gaza have caused widespread death and destruction, forcing most of the population to repeatedly flee. No home or family has been spared from loss.
Gaza is engulfed in suffering, and many residents are now looking to today’s meeting in Doha, where mediators aim to reach a ceasefire.
“We want the war to end.”
Ibrahim Mukhimer from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza says, “We want an end to the war and the attacks to stop – for 10 months, we’ve faced forced hunger and isolation from the world – we need the attacks to stop now so that medical aid can enter Gaza because we’re all suffering.”
Another resident, Rami al-Khudari, says, “We hope from Allah that a solution will emerge so the displaced can return – we have become beggars – people are dying, losing limbs, and homes are being destroyed – we tell Hamas’ political leader Yahya al-Sinwar that we need a solution and demand Netanyahu to end this matter.”
Similarly, many Israeli citizens are also hopeful for an agreement between the Israeli government and Hamas, particularly regarding the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza since October 7.
In Tel Aviv, 48-year-old Israeli nurse Carmit Elmog says, “I think all of this needs to end now. We need to get the hostages back. We need to reach an agreement so we can heal psychologically. I feel that people want peace and for the war to end.”
Roni Etzioni, 50, says, “I believe that if the Israeli government is struggling to reach an agreement, it’s good that we have allies like the U.S. and European countries who want a deal.”
Since October 7 last year, Israeli airstrikes, bombings, and ground operations in Gaza have claimed at least 39,965 lives. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health under Hamas, most of the dead are women and children.
