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Biden Says Saudi Arabia Wants to “Fully Recognize” Israel

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – US President Joe Biden said this week that Saudi Arabia wants to “fully recognize” Israel in exchange for American weaponry should it need to defend itself against other Arab nations or Iran, the Times of Israel (TOI) reported. 

Saudi Arabia has been an official enemy of Israel since the establishment of the modern Jewish state in 1948. However, the two historical arch-enemies have drawn closer together in recent years as both countries are threatened by Iran.

“I got a call from the Saudis — they want to fully recognize Israel, Biden said during an interview with journalist Speedy Morman on ‘360 with Speedy,’ which was broadcast on July 15. The president went on to explain that Saudi Arabia would require US security guarantees “if they’re attacked by other Arab nations — one just around the corner.” 

By “one just around the corner,” Biden is believed to have meant Iran, which, although not Arab, is considered a serious threat to Saudi Arabia and the stability of the Middle East generally.

Riyadh has not confirmed Biden’s statement, TOI notes. Notably, while Saudi Arabia has publicly expressed interest in normalizing relations with Israel, it has so far insisted it will not do so unless Jerusalem agrees to work on a pathway for a Palestinian state. That prospect looks unlikely at the current time, given that the Israeli Knesset has just voted overwhelmingly to reject a Palestinian state.