Title: Saudi Arabia Appoints Non-Resident Envoy to Palestine Despite Israeli Opposition
Israel has rejected the idea of establishing a diplomatic base in Jerusalem for Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the Palestinian Authority, as tensions continue to simmer in the region. On Tuesday, Ambassador Nayef al-Sudairi, Saudi Arabia’s current ambassador to Jordan, was named as a non-resident envoy to Palestine and consul general in Jerusalem. This move aligns with the Palestinian goal of establishing a state with East Jerusalem as its capital, a sensitive issue that has long been a major point of contention between Israel and Palestine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen clarified that while al-Sudairi can meet with representatives of the Palestinian Authority, he will not be granted a permanent presence in Jerusalem. Israel considers Jerusalem its own capital and does not allow Palestinian diplomatic activity in the city. Instead, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has traditionally handled Palestinian affairs through its embassy in Amman.
Interestingly, this development comes at a time when the United States is seeking to promote a potential normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The US hopes to bridge the gap between the two countries, but Israel’s government is unlikely to make significant concessions to the Palestinians as part of this deal.
Saudi Arabia has been a long-standing champion of the Palestinian cause. Their appointment of al-Sudairi as the envoy to Palestine is seen by Bassam al-Agha, the Palestinian ambassador to Riyadh, as a reaffirmation of the kingdom’s unwavering support for Palestinian statehood.
Furthermore, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen suggests that al-Sudairi’s appointment may be linked to progress in talks between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Riyadh has previously stated that it would only recognize Israel if progress is made towards Palestinian statehood.
The appointment of a Saudi ambassador with consular responsibilities in Jerusalem is likely to escalate tensions between Israel and Palestine. With both sides asserting their sovereignty over the city, finding a resolution that satisfies both parties appears to be an uphill battle.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this development will impact future negotiations and efforts to reach a peaceful resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
