A Different Peace

Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 30

Relationships between countries are built upon mutual respect and shared interests, which serve as a basis for their continued growth and deepening. Saudi Arabia is one of the most sought-after countries for engagement due to its stature and the political, economic, and developmental resources it holds. In addition, the kingdom’s balanced approach to a variety of issues makes its policy attractive for gaining support for any just cause. One such event is the Palestinian issue, which has been at the core of Saudi policy since its founding by Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman and beyond. The kingdom continues to use its power to prioritize this matter, as evidenced by the Arab Peace Initiative, a Saudi initiative that has been widely and swiftly adopted by the Arab League and has become the de facto basis for all negotiations surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. As talks continue surrounding the establishment of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, led by US auspices, Saudi Arabia appears to take a calm stance, declining to rush into any agreement before it achieves its stated conditions and objectives. Knowing that the country has regional and international clout allows us to put forth demands at the negotiation table. Negotiations will be long and take time, but we have wise leadership that will defend our best interests. The results of the negotiations may not always be entirely agreeable, but they will surely promote the kingdom’s security and prosperity. The negotiations over establishing ties with Israel will be gradual and multistaged so that each side knows exactly what it’s giving and what it’s receiving if and when this deal concludes. —Hani Wafa (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)