President Joe Biden has suggested that Hamas launched its attacks on Israel in an attempt to disrupt the developing diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to Biden, Hamas conducted the October 7 attacks with the intention of hindering his efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Biden mentioned during a campaign fundraiser in Washington that the Saudis were interested in recognizing Israel and fostering Middle East unity. He believes that Hamas was aware of his upcoming discussions with the Saudis.
After the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Saudi officials reportedly paused talks with Israel. The Saudi government has expressed concern for the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have caused significant casualties.
Saudi Arabia supported the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which led to the normalization of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain with Israel in 2020. However, Saudi Arabia has not yet officially recognized Israel.
The Biden administration has been advocating for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, two of the United States’ key Middle East allies. There had been signs of improved relations between the two countries in recent months. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman mentioned in September that normalization was getting closer each day but emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue.
During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Biden that a deal was “within reach.” Additionally, both Israel and Saudi Arabia were part of a group of about two dozen countries collaborating on a rail and shipping corridor announced by Biden at the G20 summit in India.
