Former President Donald Trump recently had a phone conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, according to a report by the New York Times. This comes as the Biden administration is working to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Trump had made normalizing relations between Israel and Muslim-majority countries one of his significant foreign-policy achievements during his term in office.
The exact timing of the conversation between the 38-year-old Crown Prince and the 77-year-old former president is unknown, and details of the discussion were not revealed by the outlet. However, the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan had to cancel a planned trip to Saudi Arabia due to a cracked rib. He was expected to discuss the US-led effort to improve relations between Riyadh and Jerusalem.
Diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia hit a snag after Hamas carried out an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. President Biden has suggested that the attack was intended to disrupt talks, as the Saudis were poised to recognize Israel, which could have led to greater unity in the Middle East. The potential deal aimed at increasing stability in the region, countering the Iranian nuclear threat, and fostering economic cooperation.
During Trump’s presidency, the US brokered normalization agreements known as the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key figure in negotiating the accords, received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for his Affinity Partners firm. This investment came six months after Trump left office, highlighting the close relationship between Kushner and Salman.
The Biden administration’s push to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel has faced obstacles, with Sullivan’s trip to the kingdom delayed due to his injury. Despite these setbacks, efforts to thaw relations continue as both countries explore the possibility of recognizing Israel. The potential recognition by Saudi Arabia has the potential to bring about significant changes in the Middle East, including increased stability and economic cooperation.
Overall, the conversation between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman indicates ongoing interest in improving relations between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the region. While challenges remain, the prospect of normalizing relations, building on the Abraham Accords, and countering common threats such as Iran underscore the importance of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
