Netanyahu rejected secret Saudi peace plan after 2014 Gaza war

US President Barack Obama meets with Saudi King Abdullah at Rawdat Khuraim, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 28, 2014.

Times of Israel reports, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a secret proposal from Saudi Arabia to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal at the end of the 2014 Gaza war, according to a report Tuesday.The rejection led to a deep rift between Jerusalem and Riyadh that lasted until the death of King Abdullah in 2015, according to the report carried by Israel’s Channel 13 news.”…

“The plan was described as an “upgraded version of the Arab Peace Initiative.” Under that plan, which was first proposed by Riyadh in 2002 and has since been endorsed by the entire Muslim world, all Arab and Islamic states would establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel after the successful conclusion of the peace process with the Palestinians. According to the report, King Abdullah’s special envoy, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and another top official met with Netanyahu in an unnamed third country, and proposed the two countries jointly announce the peace initiative at the UN general assembly later that month.”

Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan at his palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2008

“Netanyahu was initially enthusiastic about the proposal and he and Bandar began preparing for the UN summit.”…The Saudis agreed to most of the Israeli document, but told Netanyahu’s negotiators they “also needed to show flexibility” on some of the points, Channel 13 reported. Netanyahu refused, and the talks broke down.” (more…)