Arab Gulf states offered to normalize relations with the Zionist entity in exchange for a partial freeze on Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, officials from Arab Gulf states told top American officials that they would allow overflight rights to the occupied territories, establish direct telecommunications and lift restrictions on trade between them and the Zionist entity, in return for a promise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would return to the negotiating table with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Preconditions for returning to peace talks could include freezing Jewish settlement construction and opening up trade access to the Gaza Strip, according the Wall Street Journal.
The report comes just days ahead of Trump’s first official visit to the region.
Saudi King Salman on Monday expressed hope for a “historic” summit to be held Sunday between Arab and Muslim nations and US President Donald Trump that he hoped would enhance ties and promote tolerance.
The summit will be one of three forums held during a visit by Trump, who is making Saudi Arabia his first overseas stop since assuming office in January.
Salman told a cabinet meeting in the Red Sea city of Jeddah that the meeting “comes in light of the challenges and sensitive situations that the world is going through”.
Source: Wall Street Journal
