DECISION COMES AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS,
U.S. PRESSURE AND INTERNAL SAUDI PRIORITIES
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has declined to join the Abraham Accords,
indicating Saudi Arabia will not pursue normalization with Israel at this time.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has refused to bring the kingdom into the Abraham Accords, according to new reports circulating across regional and diplomatic channels. The decision marks a significant moment in Middle East diplomacy, as the United States has been encouraging Riyadh to join the normalization framework established by Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
Sources familiar with the discussions say Saudi Arabia is prioritizing internal security considerations, regional stability, and conditions related to Palestinian statehood before committing to any agreement involving full normalization with Israel. Analysts note that the kingdom has consistently stated it will not join the Accords until progress is made on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
The refusal also comes amid escalating tensions in the region, including security concerns in the Red Sea, shifting alliances around Iran, and increased domestic caution in Riyadh about the political costs of moving too quickly toward normalization.
U.S. officials had hoped Saudi participation would solidify the Accords as a broader regional framework and serve as a stabilizing force. The White House has not yet issued a formal response to the Crown Prince’s decision.
Experts say Saudi Arabia’s stance reflects a long-term diplomatic strategy aimed at balancing its security partnership with Washington, its economic transformation goals under Vision 2030, and its leadership role in the Muslim world.
The kingdom may revisit the issue in the future, but for now, Riyadh’s refusal sends a strong signal: normalization with Israel is not on the near-term agenda.
