The Palestinian Authority “needs a friend to be honest with it, telling it and advising it: Sign the deal and then curse it as much as you want, day and night,” writes Saudi journalist.
(February 2, 2020 / MEMRI)
The official Saudi position on the Mideast peace plan presented last week by U.S. President Donald Trump was one of qualified support.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry reaction to the plan’s release stated, inter alia, that “the Kingdom appreciates the efforts made by President Trump’s administration to develop a comprehensive Palestinian-Israeli peace plan, and it encourages the start of direct peace negotiations between the sides under U.S. sponsorship, in which any dispute regarding details of the plan will be settled. This in order to advance the peace process and arrive at an agreement that will actualize the brother Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.”
At the same time, the Saudi press reported that King Salman had spoken by phone with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has rejected the U.S. plan out of hand, to “stress to him the Kingdom’s steadfast position vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.” The king reportedly added: “The Kingdom stands alongside the Palestinian people and supports its choices and what[ever] will actualize its hopes and aspirations.”