Netanyahu’s delusions on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Salman

Akiv Eldar, in Al Monitor, writes, “Given Netanyahu’s claim that the Palestinians do not want to negotiate a peace agreement with Israel, his alleged record of “innovation” has been in the regional arena. At the April 18 ceremony marking the annual Remembrance Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers, Netanyahu pledged to nurture Israel’s might and ensure its future, and also to continue fostering ties with the pragmatic forces in the region — a thinly veiled reference to Saudi Arabia — “to pave the road to peace.” At another ceremony on April 17, for foreign service officers killed in the line of duty, the prime minister — who also serves as foreign minister — hailed the important changes taking place in parts of the Arab world. He expressed his belief that this would expand the circle of peace. Did we already mention Saudi Arabia? Netanyahu then went on to once again revel in President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US Embassy to the city.”

Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with Jason Greenblatt,

“What we have here is dual and even triple innovation, a real international startup enterprise. It promotes ties with pragmatic Arab states while sending snipers to kill unarmed Gaza Palestinians, deepening the Israeli occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and touting US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital.Alas, hours after Netanyahu was invited to light his regional innovation torch, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud announced, “The Palestinian cause is our number one issue and will remain so until the Palestinian people obtain all their legitimate rights, particularly the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” (read more)