Biden, Netanyahu pledge to work on Israeli-Saudi normalization

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to cooperate to build historic diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in New York.

Biden Netanyahu work on Israeli-Saudi normalization: “During their first meeting since Netanyahu took office again in December, both leaders expressed a desire to reduce tensions in their relationship, but Biden made it clear that he was determine to address their disagreements.”

These included Biden’s objection to the contentious proposed revamp of the judiciary by Netanyahu’s far-right cabinet as well as his worry over Israel’s strict stance towards the Palestinians.

At the beginning of the negotiations, seated next to Netanyahu in a New York hotel ballroom, Biden stated, “I hope we can settle some things today.”

The two leaders ultimately decided to schedule their talks on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York rather than at the White House, which Netanyahu thought would be a more distinguished location for their encounter.

US officials anticipated both the Iranian nuclear programme and the judicial reform will come up in their discussions, with Biden likely to reinforce his urge for Netanyahu to change course.

In addition to reiterating his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Biden emphasised his commitment to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon.

The US-led effort to forge diplomatic ties between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Israel was the main item on the agenda, and it served as the focal point of more extensive and difficult negotiations that also included Israeli concessions to the Palestinians, civilian nuclear assistance sought by Riyadh, and US security guarantees.