“The United States has a real national security interest in
promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. We believe
we can and indeed we must play an integral role in advancing it,”
Blinken told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or
AIPAC.
Speaking hours before departing for talks in Riyadh and Jeddah,
Blinken said the administration of President Joe Biden was
committed to the Abraham Accords, an initiative launched under
previous president Donald Trump to persuade Arab countries to
establish formal relations with the Jewish state.
But so far Riyadh has held back, though it has opened up to
Israeli commercial flights and has had many contacts with
Israel.
“Israel's further integration in the region contributes to a
more stable, a more secure and more prosperous region, and a more
secure Israel,” Blinken told the AIPAC audience.
He said the Biden administration has“no illusions” that
bringing about a full Saudi-Israel normalization can be done
quickly or easily.
“But we remain committed to working toward that outcome,
including on my trip this week to Jeddah and Riyadh for engagements
with Saudi and Gulf counterparts,” he said.
Nevertheless, he added:“Integration and normalization efforts
are not a substitute for progress between Israelis and
Palestinians, and they should not come at its expense.”
Meanwhile Blinken reiterated Washington's pledge that Iran will
not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
“The US-Israel relationship is underwritten by the United States
commitment to Israel's security. That commitment is non-negotiable;
it is ironclad,” he said.
“If Iran rejects the path of diplomacy, then, as President Biden
has repeatedly made clear, all options are on the table to ensure
that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons,” Blinken said.
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