Senator Lindsey Graham is pushing for a high-stakes normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, stating that time is running out. In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” Graham emphasized the importance of such a deal in ending the Arab-Israeli conflict, isolating Iran, and providing security to Israel.
Graham has been working closely with White House officials, including President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, to facilitate the normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel. He recently met with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia to discuss the potential treaty.
The Senator highlighted the significance of a mutual defense agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia in order for the Crown Prince to recognize Israel and address the Palestinian issue. Graham also mentioned a brief phone call between former President Donald Trump and Crown Prince MBS during his visit, although normalization talks were not discussed.
Graham urged the White House to prioritize closing the deal, as it could garner significant support from Republicans in the Senate. He believes that if the agreement is based on the foundation of the 2020 Abraham Accords, which led to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recognizing Israel, Trump should receive credit for his role in the process.
As Secretary Blinken travels to Saudi Arabia for discussions with regional partners, Graham remains optimistic about the potential for a breakthrough in the normalization efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel.