Significant progress has been made in the efforts to mark a breakthrough that would lead Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel, an official familiar with these efforts said over the weekend.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia still opposes the move, so it is doubtful whether such a historic breakthrough could be accomplished in the near future. Still, during last week's visit by a US delegation to Riyadh, headed by senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, the parties discussed a tripartite move to that effect involving the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, similar to the one announced by the Trump administration vis-à-vis Kosovo.
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The inherent sensitivity of such a move, however, means it may not come to fruition anytime soon.
Trump administration insiders disagree on whether this is the best time for Jerusalem and Riyadh to strike peace.
Some believe the momentum created by the historic peace deal with the UAE cannot be squandered, while others argue that the Saudi people are not ready for rapprochement with Israel as, unlike the UAE, the kingdom is still rife with anti-Israel sentiment.
Insisting on peace between the Jewish state and the Persian Gulf power at this time would result in a cold peace, the likes of which Israel maintains with Jordan and Egypt, one source said.
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