From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 4, 2024
After meeting PM, GOP senator says Israel still has until June to reach normalization deal with Saudi Arabia
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
US Senator Lindsey Graham, after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says that Israel has a window until June to hammer out a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, which would close as the election campaign kicks into full gear.
“The military campaign to destroy Hamas is not inconsistent with normalization,” he says.
“The worst thing for the Crown Prince and the GCC and everyone else in the region is for Hamas to survive,” he continues.
“There is no way MBS or anyone else can deal with a better future for the Palestinians if Hamas is still there,” says the South Carolina Republican.
He also says he will oppose US funds going to the Palestinian Authority to rebuild Gaza. “I don’t trust the PA. I won’t put 15 cents into a group that can’t deliver.”
Graham is flying from Israel to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman. He says he will tell MBS that a normalization deal with Israel is what will convince US investors and tourists that Saudi Arabia is a safe country. “I can’t give a trip to Saudi Arabia right now in South Carolina,” he says. “But if they recognize Israel it would change everything.”
