White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, focusing on efforts to establish a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as stated by the White House. The meeting also delved into addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza, with a specific emphasis on augmenting the delivery of essential aid to the Palestinian enclave. Additionally, a spectrum of bilateral issues was on the agenda, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the talks.
Sullivan is slated to visit Israel on Thursday, engaging in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli war cabinet over the following days. The White House had initiated negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia; however, these were disrupted by an attack on southern Israel by the Gaza-based Hamas militant group on October 7. While the conflict has led to significant casualties, all parties have expressed a desire to revisit the negotiation process at an opportune time.
During his visit, Sullivan is expected to address efforts to deter ongoing Houthi attacks on international commercial vessels in the Red Sea with Saudi officials. In addition, discussions with Israeli counterparts will center around advocating for more precise and targeted strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, as highlighted by White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby.
Furthermore, President Joe Biden’s recent remarks on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, characterizing them as “indiscriminate” and expressing a call for change from Prime Minister Netanyahu, have introduced a new element of tension in U.S.-Israeli relations. This adds another layer of complexity to Sullivan’s diplomatic engagements in the region.
The meeting between Sullivan and the Saudi Crown Prince also addressed areas of deepening bilateral cooperation, encompassing security, commerce, space exploration, and advanced technologies, including discussions on open radio access (O-Ran) networks, according to the White House statement.
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