Why Saudi Arabia does not normalize relations with the Israeli regime despite its informal relations goes back to the obstacles that the Saudi regime faces at home and abroad.
According to Pak Sahafat News Agency International Group, Saudi Arabia has established extensive relations with the Zionist regime over the past four years. These relations range from the informal relations between the second-degree officials of the two sides (the meeting between Turki Faisal and Amos Yadlin and the meeting between Anwar Eshghi and Dori Gold) to the news of Yossi Cohen’s secret trip to Riyadh or the meeting between “Mohammad bin Salman” and “Netanyahu”. However, Saudi Arabia is not moving towards normalizing relations.
Part of this procrastination is that Saudi Arabia seeks to normalize relations with many other countries in the Islamic world by normalizing relations. But the most important part is due to the obstacles that do not allow normalization to Saudi Arabia and the Saudi regime.
Internal problems
Inside Saudi Arabia, the religious structure of Saudi Arabia and its indigenous and traditional society is one of the main obstacles for the Saudi regime to communicate with the Zionists.
Conflict with the extremist Wahhabi religious movement
Muhammad bin Salman is one of the most extremist and authoritarian rulers in Saudi Arabia. He had a strong conflict with the Wahhabi religious movement. The Wahhabi current, in spite of all the extremism it had in other areas, was also strongly opposed to the entry of the Zionists into Saudi Arabia. This opposition was one of the most important problems for the Saudis. Because the traditional Saudi society strongly supports this current and listens to their orders. Therefore, the movement of “Muhammad ibn Salman” in order to implement his plans led to a conflict with this current. In a way that made him suppress this current. But the crackdown did not end the story. He is still worried about it inside Saudi Arabia.
Rivals of power in the Saudi court
Muhammad ibn Salman came to power when the family of Abdullah’s former king was completely opposed to him. This opposition initially led to Muhammad ibn Salman’s widespread repression and arrests, some of which are still ongoing. This was one of the aspects of the rival current’s conflict with Muhammad ibn Salman. Although the secret relationship with the Zionists dates back to decades ago and to the entire Saudi court, the extent and nature of this relationship was controversial and posed a serious obstacle for Muhammad bin Salman to formally announce normalization.
External problems
In addition to the problems that Saudi Arabia had inside the country to officially announce normalization with the Zionist regime, problems are imposed from outside on the Saudi court and the person of “Muhammad bin Salman” who still does not allow official normalization.
The place of Mecca and Medina in the Islamic world
Mecca and Medina as a qibla and a city where the tomb of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and many Ahl al-Bayt and companions are located, is respected by all Muslims in the world. By introducing itself as the custodian of these two holy shrines, the Saudi regime has gained a position that can be said to be the highest in the Islamic world. Now, the Saudi regime, which holds this position, cannot formally normalize with the Zionist regime, regardless of the views of the Muslims of the world.
Read more: Recognition of the Israeli regime’s efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia: https://www.paksahafat.com/en/?p=17424
There is a strongly opposing view among the Muslim Ummah on the issue of normalization of relations with the Zionist regime, which Saudi Arabia fears will face negative consequences if taken for granted by surprise.
Trump step down and Biden takes office
One of Muhammad bin Salman’s serious problems in the region was Donald Trump’s removal from power. “Mohammad bin Salman” put all his eggs in his basket when “Trump” came to power, and thinking that he would be in power for 8 years, he started attacking in the regional arena, but leaving after 4 years “Trump” became a nightmare for him.
When Biden came to power, he dropped the two main Trump options that Mohammad bin Salman had invested in, and this hit him hard.
The first option was the “deal of the century.” Muhammad bin Salman was moving on the basis of the Trump Century Deal, but Trump’s departure and Biden’s opposition to the plan severely hampered the Saudi Crown Prince. Because he had severely offended many Saudi allies, such as Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan, in the course of the “deal of the century.”
The second option was the war in Yemen, which Biden opposed, unlike Trump, and did not continue the support that Trump had provided, leaving Muhammad bin Salman behind.
With the current situation, “Muhammad bin Salman” must remove these obstacles in both domestic and foreign arenas. He must coordinate the conditions inside in order to accompany himself. The preparation of domestic public opinion has been done through the implementation of Western plans, but it seems that the traditional and religious current inside Saudi Arabia is like a fire under the ashes that can catch him.