WASHINGTON, May 24 (Alliance News): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that additional Arab countries could join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel before the end of 2025.
Speaking to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio noted that Saudi Arabia remains interested in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel despite existing obstacles.
Rubio highlighted that the Abraham Accords, brokered during President Donald Trump’s administration, previously led to normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
While Saudi Arabia engaged in negotiations in 2023 under US mediation, progress was stalled following the October 7, 2023 attack and the ensuing Israeli military actions in Gaza.
He emphasized that both Saudi Arabia and Israel still desire a deal, but ongoing conflict in Gaza and the lack of advancement toward a two-state solution present significant barriers.
Saudi Arabia insists that normalization will not proceed until hostilities in Gaza end and meaningful steps are taken toward establishing a Palestinian state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading a hard-right government, opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.
