Opinion | Saudi normalisation now. A Palestinian state later

Key Findings:

Paul Gross writes this opinion piece regarding the push from the Biden Administration for a two-state solution following 7 October. He argues against the solution, stating that it is premature for the climate and likely will not be backed by the Israeli public. Instead, the author strongly suggests working towards Saudi normalisation.

He states that “The transition of Palestinian institutions and society to a national identity not based on complete rejection of Israel will take time; perhaps a generation or more. In the meantime, there should be nothing to stop Israel signing normalisation agreements with Saudi Arabia and other Arab and Muslim states likely to jump on the bandwagon; if those states know that Israel is committed to the political horizon of a two-state solution and will act accordingly.”

The author argues that it will take a significant amount of time for a two-state solution to become a feasible reality, and one of the first steps to ensure its realization would be normalisation. He also states that Saudi normalisation does not require a push from the US for the establishment of a Palestinian state, only willingness from Israel to walk towards a path that will eventually lead there. 

Gross highlights Biden's unwavering support of Israel, citing his speech following the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October, and his subsequent visit to the country as examples. Given Biden’s allyship, Gross hopes for his administration to adopt this alternate approach for real and lasting change, and hold off on the urgency for a two-state solution.