The life of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is in danger. MBS has told US Congressmen that he could be assassinated if Saudi Arabia signs a normalization deal with Israel, which would not include recognizing the Palestinian state.
This claim has been made about MBS in a report by America-based news outlet Politico.
Politico, quoting a former US official in its report, wrote that the Saudi Crown Prince, while discussing the threat to his life from the US Congress, demanded that the agreement should have a clear path for a future Palestinian state.
‘My condition should not become like that of the Egyptian leader…’
The report said that in a meeting with American lawmakers, MBS mentioned former Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat and said that his condition might also become like his. Anwar Sadat was assassinated by extremists in 1981 after signing a peace treaty with Israel.
A source familiar with the matter told Politico that MBS, referring to the Palestinian state in the agreement, said, ‘The Saudi people care very much about this and the entire Middle East is very serious about this. And if I do not pay attention to this issue, my tenure as the protector of the holy places of Islam will not be secure.
The report said it was not clear how long ago MBS had expressed concerns about his assassination. Congress sources say that in view of the Gaza war, the possibility of Israel-Saudi normalization agreement has reduced.
MBS committed to deal with Israel despite assassination risks
Despite the threat of assassination, MBS is reportedly committed to pursuing agreements with the US and Israel. He believes that the agreement with Israel is very important for the future of Saudi Arabia because in return America will guarantee security to Saudi Arabia and provide continuous supply of weapons. Besides, America can also help Saudi in starting a civilian nuclear program.
But the US-backed Israel-Saudi deal is facing a hurdle regarding the demand for a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been opposing the inclusion of the Palestinian state demand in the agreement.
Amidst the Israeli attack on Gaza since October last year, at the beginning of this year, Saudi Arabia had clearly told America that it will not establish relations with Israel until the Palestinian state is recognized.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry had said that an independent Palestinian state should be established on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. Also, Israel’s attacks on Gaza should stop.