While meeting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan on Wednesday at the State Department, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo encouraged Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel.
He hoped that it will consider recognizing Israel and normalizing its relationship, following Bahrain and UAE agreements.
Pompeo also thanked the kingdom for assisting in normalization deals between two other Gulf Arab countries and Israel. “We want to thank them for the assistance they’ve had in the success of the Abraham Accords so far,” he said.
Noting that about a month ago Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed the Abraham Accords with Israel at the White House.
“The agreement contributed greatly to our shared goals for regional peace and security,” the US Secretary of State stated. “They reflect a changing dynamic in the region, one in which countries rightly recognize the need for regional cooperation to counter Iranian influence and generate prosperity.”
Pompeo added that he hopes Riyadh will also encourage Palestinian leaders or the Palestinian Authority to “return to dialogue and negotiation with Israel.”
He also announced that the US had acquired a 26-acre site to build a new US embassy in Riyadh and that it is spending more than $1 billion on diplomatic construction in Saudi Arabia.
US President Donald Trump has also previously announced that he expects Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel.