Saudi normalization deal off the table for now, but possible during lame-duck period — Israeli official

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

An Israel-Saudi normalization agreement is not possible before the November presidential election, but could still be inked during the lame-duck period between November and January, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

The official argues that it will be too difficult before the election for both parties in Congress to authorize the US-Saudi bilateral security pact that Riyadh is seeking in parallel to the normalization.

“After the election, it’ll be easier for both parties. There will be a better chance that Biden will bring the support of a Democratic majority, and the Republican side will also support the [US-Saudi bilateral security pact] because of the normalization component,” the Israeli official maintains.

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