Pompeo calls on Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also raised human rights concerns during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Saudi Arabia to consider normalizing ties with Israel, he told the press on Wednesday following a meeting with the Saudi foreign minister as part of the inaugural US-Saudi strategic dialogue in Washington.
During joint remarks with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Pompeo said the US-brokered Abraham Accords “reflect a changing dynamic in the region.”
“We hope Saudi Arabia will consider normalizing its relationships as well. We want to thank them for the assistance they've had in the success of the Abraham Accords so far,” Pompeo said, adding he was hopeful that Saudi Arabia can encourage the Palestinians to return to negotiations with Israel.
Last month, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to recognize the Jewish state in exchange for Israel agreeing to hold off annexing large portions of the West Bank. President Donald Trump has said that he expects "five or six" countries, including Saudi Arabia, to follow their lead and strike their own normalization deals with Israel.
