Saudi Arabia quietly expands diplomatic ties with Israel ahead of normalisation talks resumption

Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its unofficial diplomatic engagement with Israel over the past six weeks, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, laying groundwork for a potential resumption of normalisation talks that stalled during the Gaza conflict. The kingdom has established regular communication channels between senior officials in both governments, including weekly video conferences on regional security issues and coordination on Red Sea shipping protection. "There's been a marked shift in tone from Riyadh since early April," confirmed Dr. Khalil Jahshan, executive director of the Arab Center Washington DC, who has been briefed on the discussions. "The Saudis are clearly testing the waters for a return to the normalisation track."

The renewed engagement comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faces mounting domestic pressure to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy away from oil dependency, with Israeli technology and investment seen as crucial components of his Vision 2030 development plan. Sources close to the Saudi leadership indicate that the Crown Prince has privately expressed frustration with the slow pace of economic transformation and believes closer ties with Israel could accelerate technological innovation and foreign investment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded positively to Saudi overtures, authorising his national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi to participate in the informal diplomatic track. "The Prime Minister sees Saudi normalisation as essential for Israel's long-term security and regional integration," said a senior Israeli official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing discussions.

The behind-the-scenes diplomacy has included coordination on shared security threats, particularly Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping that have affected both countries' economic interests. Saudi and Israeli naval forces have begun sharing intelligence on Houthi drone and missile capabilities, marking the first formal security cooperation between the two nations. Additionally, Saudi officials have quietly engaged with Israeli counterparts on water technology and renewable energy projects, areas where Israel's expertise could support the kingdom's sustainable development goals. These technical discussions have created a foundation of trust that both sides hope can support broader political normalisation efforts.

Palestinian Authority officials have expressed concern about the accelerating Saudi-Israeli rapprochement, fearing that Palestinian interests could be marginalised in any eventual agreement. President Mahmoud Abbas dispatched a high-level delegation to Riyadh last week to stress Palestinian red lines, including demands for meaningful Israeli concessions on West Bank settlements and East Jerusalem. "Any normalisation that doesn't address core Palestinian grievances would be a betrayal of Arab solidarity," warned Dr. Saeb Erekat Jr., a senior Palestinian negotiator and son of the late chief negotiator Saeb Erekat. However, Saudi officials have indicated privately that they view Palestinian maximalist positions as obstacles to regional progress and are prepared to move forward with or without Palestinian approval.

The timing of renewed Saudi-Israeli engagement reflects broader regional realignments, with traditional Arab powers increasingly focused on economic development and Iranian containment rather than the Palestinian cause. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Riyadh later this month to assess prospects for reviving the Abraham Accords framework, with the Biden administration eager to secure a foreign policy success ahead of November's presidential election. Whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman can overcome domestic religious and political constraints to formalise ties with Israel remains uncertain, but the current diplomatic momentum suggests that Saudi-Israeli normalisation may be closer than many observers previously believed.