RAMALLAH, West Bank — The United States and Israel have both praised the Arab participation in the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir. This participation at the conference, held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, was perceived to be a significant Arab-Israeli convergence against Iran. Although the Warsaw conference was centered on the need to confront Iran, the Arab-Israeli convergence has ignited questions on the Palestinian Authority's (PA) standing, particularly since The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 14 that Riyadh applauded the US Middle East peace plan, also known as "the deal of the century."

There are multiple reasons behind the PA refraining from voicing any stance on this convergence. Most notably among these reasons is that although the media depicts Riyadh as opting for a political stance close to Israel and the United States and favoring the deal of the century, the PA believes that there is political commitment to the Palestinian cause from Riyadh’s part. It also believes that Saudi Arabia is committed to financially support the Palestinian Treasury, with Riyadh transferring Feb. 13 $60 million, as part of its monthly contribution for November-December 2018 and January 2019. 

Riyadh contributes with a monthly sum of $20 million to the PA budget and provides intermittent support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). On the sidelines of the Arab Summit in April 2018, Saudi Arabia announced a $150 million grant to the Islamic endowments in Jerusalem and a sum of $50 million to UNRWA.

In May 2018, Saudi Arabia announced that its humanitarian development and social aid to the Palestinians amounted to $6 billion between 2000 and 2018.