Some Palestinians worry Saudis reconciling with Israel
A Saudi prince recently visited Ramallah, raising concerns about Saudi normalization with Israel, as such visits require Israel's approval.
Palestinian-Saudi ties have grown stronger in recent weeks, which some Palestinians welcome and others reject.
On March 11, Manssour bin Mussallam, a Saudi citizen who is head of the Switzerland-based NGO the Education Relief Foundation, visited the West Bank. He was received by recently resigned Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who praised ongoing Saudi support for the Palestinian cause, and called on Arabs to visit more often.
Bin Mussallam met with Palestinian Minister of Education Sabri Saidam. A Palestinian official close to President Mahmoud Abbas told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “Bin Mussallam’s visit focused on signing an educational partnership agreement with the Palestinian Ministry of Education and strengthening Palestinian relations with Saudi Arabia.” The two sides will form a joint action committee to carry out training programs and exchange visits.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived Feb. 12 in Riyadh on a visit that hadn't been unannounced publicly. He met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the current political situation and developments relating to the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem.
