Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) cited the threat to his life as a reason why any Israel-Saudi deal must include an immediate path to Palestinian statehood. According to a report by Politico, the U.S.-based news website, there is speculation that MBS is at risk of assassination due to his efforts to normalize ties with Israel.
The column, authored by Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi, is based on information from anonymous sources who claimed that MBS discussed these threats with members of the U.S. Congress.
MBS reportedly emphasized the importance of including a pathway to Palestinian statehood in the agreement, citing the threats against him as a key reason for this stipulation. While Israel has welcomed the prospect of normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia, it has opposed the inclusion of Palestinian statehood as part of the deal.
“The Saudi royal has mentioned to members of Congress that he’s putting his life in danger by pursuing a grand bargain with the US and Israel that includes normalizing Saudi-Israeli ties,” she wrote.
Salman has “discussed the threats he faces in explaining why any such deal must include a true path to a Palestinian state, especially now that the war in Gaza has heightened Arab fury toward Israel,” she explained.