Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month that now that the Gaza war is ending, he expects Saudi Arabia to move toward normalization with Israel.
According to two U.S. officials, the previously undisclosed call happened right after the Gaza peace summit in Egypt. Trump told MBS he had “ended the war,” and now wanted Riyadh to take the next step. MBS said he was willing to work with the Trump administration.
Key context:
• The U.S. hopes for progress during MBS’ White House visit next week.
• Saudi demands for a U.S. defense pact are being met and Trump is preparing a formal security pledge.
• The White House says Trump’s Gaza plan includes language on a path to Palestinian statehood.
• But Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution and has resisted key elements of Trump’s proposal.
• Saudi officials say they still need stronger, irreversible commitments from Israel to sell normalization to a public that is far more anti-Israel after the Gaza war.
Bottom line: Washington believes it has delivered on Saudi demands. Now it’s pressing Riyadh and Israel to move.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
