United States President Donald Trump continues to link the civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to normalization with Israel.
According to a report published tonight in the Wall Street Journal, Trump forwarded the agreement for consideration by Congress, but made it clear that it would only enter into force if the Saudi Kingdom joins the Abraham Accords.
However, Saudi Arabia is cooling expectations regarding normalization with Israel today (Wednesday). A source in Riyadh close to the royal family made it clear to Channel 12 that the Saudi position on the issue has not changed. According to him, "Without a Palestinian state, relations with Israel are not on the agenda.".
The source emphasized: "The Saudi position is clear, consistent and unchanged: there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.".
He added: "The civilian nuclear program is part of the partnership between Riyadh and Washington, and it should not be tied to relations with Israel.".
He said, "Making normalization a condition for the nuclear agreement does not change Riyadh's position. Saudi Arabia has made it clear to the US repeatedly that there will be no relations with Israel without an independent Palestinian state. This position is not subject to negotiation.".
