President Herzog: Normalisation with Saudi Arabia would be historic ‘game-changer’
'There is an option for normalisation with Saudi Arabia. This is a move that could bring about tremendous change, a historic game-changer,' Herzog said
President Isaac Herzog said the deal on the table for normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a historic game-changer and should be pursued.
“Two days ago, I met with the U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, and heard from him what was officially announced yesterday—that there is an option for normalisation with Saudi Arabia. This is a move that could bring about tremendous change, a historic ‘game-changer’ that constitutes a victory over the empire of evil,” Herzog said.
“I very much hope that this possibility is being seriously considered, as the empire of evil sought on October 7 to destroy the chance for normalisation. Our struggle, in the end, is not only a fight against Hamas. It is a wider, strategic, global, and historic battle, and we must do everything to integrate into the grand vision of normalisation,” he added.
Jake Sullivan visited both Saudi Arabia and Israel in the past week to promote a deal that would see normalisation between the two countries in what would be a mega deal that would include a defence pact between Riyadh and Washington, as well as a path towards Palestinian statehood.
“The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised — and what is being worked on between the two sides in the Palestinian issue to find a credible path — were discussed,” a statement from the meeting between Sullivan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman read.
The normalisation would include a two-state solution that “meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected such a plan last week after Benny Gantz demanded he approve a six-point strategy that would include normalisation with Saudi Arabia.
“Would Gantz support a Palestinian state as part of a normalisation process with Saudi Arabia?… Netanyahu opposes bringing the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and establishing a Palestinian state that will inevitably be a terror state,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said in response to Gantz’s demands.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
