(CNN) – US President Joe Biden said on Friday that the Hamas movement launched an attack on Israel because of American efforts to normalize Israeli-Saudi relations.
Biden added to his supporters at a campaign fundraiser: “One of the reasons Hamas moved toward Israel is because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis.”
He added, “The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel,” and continued, “They were about to recognize Israel.”
It is noteworthy that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said, last month, during an interview with CNN, that it was “likely” that Israel would reach an agreement to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu described the potential agreement as a “paradigm shift” in the region, adding that it “will change the Middle East forever, as it will demolish the walls of hostility.”
For his part, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last month that “the Palestinian issue is important for the normalization of relations with Israel.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman added, during an interview with the chief political anchor of the American Fox News network, Bret Baier, in the city of Neom: “We are discussing with the Americans to reach good results that will alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.”
The Saudi Crown Prince explained that suspending negotiations regarding the relationship with Israel is “incorrect,” and added that “they are progressing every day.”
He stated that if the Joe Biden administration succeeds in concluding an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, “it will be the largest of its kind since the Cold War.”
He added: “Every day we get closer” to reaching an agreement, describing it as a “serious and real agreement.”
He said: “For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, and we have good negotiations going on so far and we will see where they go. We hope that it will facilitate life for the Palestinians and make Israel a player in the Middle East.”
The Saudi Crown Prince stated that his country is “ready to work with any Israeli leader if he is able to reach an agreement,” and added: “If we achieve a breakthrough to reach an agreement that gives the Palestinians their needs and makes the region calm, we will work with any party there.”
2023-10-20 23:59:03
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