In closed-door discussions at the highest political levels, senior Israeli officials are expressing unusually sharp criticism of the Saudi crown prince.
Still, since Israeli leaders know there is no chance of receiving open appreciation from the Saudis — and given Israel’s strong interest in normalization with Saudi Arabia — Prime Minister Netanyahu is not voicing that criticism publicly.
Ahead of tonight’s (Tuesday) meeting between US President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel Hayom has learned that Jerusalem views the conditions set by bin Salman for a deal with Israel with a highly critical eye.
According to the internal conversations, senior officials argue that instead of showing gratitude, Saudi Arabia and several other regional states are placing conditions on peace agreements. That expected gratitude stems from Israel’s success in dismantling the Iranian axis — a threat that also endangered the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia — and from Israel’s heavy blows to Iran’s nuclear program, missile infrastructure, and overall military capabilities.