Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Expresses Fear of Assassination Over Peace Efforts with Israel

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th August 2024

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly voiced significant concerns about his personal safety as he pushes for normalization of relations with Israel. According to a recent Politico report, Bin Salman, also known as MBS, discussed his fears of assassination during talks with visiting U.S. lawmakers. He revealed his determination to proceed with establishing connections with Israel despite these fears, underscoring the risks involved in his peace efforts.

Bin Salman drew parallels between his situation and the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who was killed by Islamist militants shortly after signing a peace accord with Israel in 1981. The Crown Prince inquired about the protective measures provided to Sadat by the U.S. following the peace agreement. This reference highlights the severe threats he perceives as part of his pursuit of a historic agreement with Israel.

Despite these risks, MBS is committed to moving forward with the normalization process, emphasizing that any agreement with Israel must include provisions for the creation of a Palestinian state. He expressed frustration over the current Israeli administration’s opposition to this condition, which he believes is crucial for achieving justice in the region. Bin Salman has reportedly threatened to resign from his position as the custodian of Islam’s holy sites if he fails to address what he views as the most pressing issue in Middle Eastern politics.

MBS’s pursuit of normalization with Israel comes at a time when U.S. lawmakers are skeptical about finalizing an agreement before the November presidential election. The U.S. Senate is unlikely to approve the deal’s components before its recess, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the potential agreement.

Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Bin Salman may have used his concerns about personal safety as leverage in negotiations with American diplomats, urging them to apply more pressure on Israel to meet his terms. The Crown Prince’s aggressive stance is seen as part of a broader strategy to solidify diplomatic ties with Israel despite ongoing regional conflicts, including the recent Gaza crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long supported the idea of normalization with Saudi Arabia. However, his consistent rejection of a future Palestinian state complicates the potential agreement. U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that Saudi Arabia seeks to develop a civilian nuclear program and obtain security assurances from the U.S. in exchange for full recognition of Israel.

In a related development, the White House announced the resumption of offensive weapons shipments to Saudi Arabia, which had been halted since 2021 due to human rights concerns. This decision is viewed as part of American efforts to encourage Saudi support for ending hostilities in Gaza and countering Iranian threats against Israel.

Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel appeared imminent before the recent escalation in Gaza, highlighted by significant diplomatic visits from Israeli ministers to Saudi Arabia. However, the ongoing conflict and political complexities continue to influence the trajectory of this high-stakes diplomatic endeavor.