The Abraham Accords, sealed under Mr. Trump’s auspices, established normal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. But Saudi Arabia remains the elusive target, one that would go a long way in validating Israel’s status in the region if it formally recognizes the Jewish state.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud recently sounded optimistic about eventually joining the accords, but insisted that progress must first be made in resolving Israel’s long-running conflict with the Palestinians.
“We have always envisioned that there will be full normalization with Israel, and I have said before that full normalization between us and Israel, between the region and Israel will bring enormous benefits,” he said at the World Economic Forum last week. in Davos, Switzerland. “We will not be able to reap those benefits unless we address the issue of Palestine.”
Biden was ready to end Prince Mohammed’s isolation as early as October when he expected to meet the Saudi leader at a meeting of the Group of 20 Leaders and most likely shake hands. But the prince was not present.
The newly planned stop in Riyadh, previously reported by David Ignatius, a columnist for The Post, quickly drew criticism from human rights groups. They rejected any diplomatic rehabilitation of Prince Mohammed.
“Right now, Biden is plagued by intersecting crises, and as a result, certain human rights priorities are suffering,” said Suzanne Nossel, the CEO of PEN America, a group that champions free speech around the world. “The harder it gets to put human rights above politics, the more impact it has on the world to witness a leader who wants it.”
An advocacy group called 9/11 Families United, which represents relatives of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, sent the president a letter Thursday urging him to address Saudi leaders over links to the hijackers. Mr Biden last year ordered the release of documents from the September 11 investigation into Saudi involvement.