October 18, 2023
Hamas Tried to Sabotage Israeli-Saudi Normalization; U.S. Can Make It Backfire
Before Oct. 7, the biggest Middle East story was the growing prospect of a normalization agreement between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
The thawing of Saudi-Israeli relations was unmistakable. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in late September, “We’re getting closer to peace every day.” Earlier this month, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi was photographed celebrating Sukkot with the ritual lulav and etrog in Riyadh.
America can do its part by continuing to aid and enable Israel’s success in this difficult mission.
Hamas’s grisly and barbaric terrorist attack was a transparent effort to forestall a U.S.-Saudi-Israel deal and, more broadly, Israel’s continued integration into the Middle Eastern community of nations. However, the tremendous show of support that Washington has shown and continues to show for Israel, rather than derailing the deal, demonstrates exactly what Riyadh stands to gain by signing on with the U.S. and Israel.
Read the full article from The Hill.
More from CNAS
-
After the Deal
Reports
Executive Summary More than two years have passed since the devastating October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas (a.k.a. Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya, or Islamic Resista...
By Delaney Soliday & Shivane Anand
-
The Main Points in the Leaked Plan for Gaza
Video
The Washington Post has published a document outlining a post-war plan for Gaza that is reportedly circulating in the White House. It's not clear if the plan reflects Trump’s ...
By Adham Sahloul
-
Gaza After Hamas
Commentary
To permanently remove Hamas from power, the United States must work alongside its Arab and Israeli partners to support the PA’s return to Gaza....
By Delaney Soliday
-
Israel's New Rules of War
Commentary
Netanyahu knows that there is no modern world. In the Middle East, there is only the continuation of the ancient. Despite technology, humankind has not morally progressed, eve...
By Robert D. Kaplan
