Saudi Arabia’s Careful Balancing Act in Relations with Israel Amid Regional and Domestic Pressures
Riyadh maintains distance from formal ties with Israel while weighing strategic cooperation, public sentiment and the Palestinian issue
Saudi Arabia has continued to keep its distance from formal diplomatic ties with Israel, reflecting a complex interplay of strategic calculation, domestic sensitivities and longstanding commitments to Palestinian statehood.
Although informal cooperation and shared security interests — particularly in countering Iran’s regional influence — have brought Riyadh and Jerusalem closer in certain arenas, the Kingdom has underscored that full normalisation remains contingent on progress toward an independent Palestinian state.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has signalled openness to elements of strategic engagement, recognising that closer ties with Israel could yield economic and security benefits.
Yet, he faces significant internal opposition from influential royal figures and conservative religious leaders who view Israel as a rival for regional influence and remain staunchly opposed to normalisation without substantive concessions on Palestinian rights.
This domestic context, alongside strong public sentiment in Saudi Arabia supporting Palestinian statehood, has shaped Riyadh’s cautious approach.
Official Saudi policy continues to tie the prospect of full diplomatic relations with Israel to the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Riyadh’s foreign ministry has reaffirmed this position repeatedly, stressing that normalization is not an option absent meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood and justice for Palestinians after decades of conflict.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has engaged pragmatically with Israel in informal channels and tacit cooperation, including intelligence sharing and participation in wider regional security alignments, often with Washington’s support.
These interactions reflect a recognition of overlapping strategic interests, particularly concerning Iran’s activities across the Middle East.
However, Saudi leaders remain attuned to the need for a careful diplomatic posture that respects both domestic opinion and broader Arab and Muslim world expectations regarding a just resolution to the Palestinian issue.
Although informal cooperation and shared security interests — particularly in countering Iran’s regional influence — have brought Riyadh and Jerusalem closer in certain arenas, the Kingdom has underscored that full normalisation remains contingent on progress toward an independent Palestinian state.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has signalled openness to elements of strategic engagement, recognising that closer ties with Israel could yield economic and security benefits.
Yet, he faces significant internal opposition from influential royal figures and conservative religious leaders who view Israel as a rival for regional influence and remain staunchly opposed to normalisation without substantive concessions on Palestinian rights.
This domestic context, alongside strong public sentiment in Saudi Arabia supporting Palestinian statehood, has shaped Riyadh’s cautious approach.
Official Saudi policy continues to tie the prospect of full diplomatic relations with Israel to the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Riyadh’s foreign ministry has reaffirmed this position repeatedly, stressing that normalization is not an option absent meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood and justice for Palestinians after decades of conflict.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has engaged pragmatically with Israel in informal channels and tacit cooperation, including intelligence sharing and participation in wider regional security alignments, often with Washington’s support.
These interactions reflect a recognition of overlapping strategic interests, particularly concerning Iran’s activities across the Middle East.
However, Saudi leaders remain attuned to the need for a careful diplomatic posture that respects both domestic opinion and broader Arab and Muslim world expectations regarding a just resolution to the Palestinian issue.
