From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 9, 2025
Saudi crown prince reportedly reassured Abbas deputy that Riyadh won’t ink deal with Israel absent end to war, two-state path
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed to the recently appointed vice chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, Hussein al-Sheikh, during a meeting this week that Riyadh will not agree to normalize relations with Israel until the war in Gaza ends and a pathway toward the establishment of a Palestinian state has been established, Sky News Arabia reports, citing an unnamed Palestinian source.
The Palestinian source also reveals that Saudi Arabia will resume financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and will announce the decision during an annual summit of Arab leaders that will be held later this month in Baghdad.
Separately, the Kan public broadcaster reports that Riyadh has sent messages to the Trump administration warning the US president against making any surprise announcements during his trip to the region next week that might embarrass the kingdom.
Kan cited a senior Arab official who said the message was particularly regarding potential announcements by Trump regarding Saudi-Israel normalization, which they have repeatedly insisted will not be advanced absent an end to the Gaza war and a political horizon for the Palestinians.
The Times of Israel Community.