In a recent statement, US President Joe Biden shed light on the underlying reasons behind the crisis in the Middle East, particularly the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel. During a campaign fundraiser in Washington, President Biden stated, "One of the reasons why they acted like they did, why Hamas moved on Israel, is because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis." He further elaborated that the Saudi government was interested in recognizing Israel, a move that could have significant implications for regional unity.
Under President Biden's leadership, the United States and Saudi Arabia had been working on a framework for the Saudi kingdom to formally recognize Israel, contingent on US security guarantees. While administration officials had initially downplayed the talks' progress, President Biden was personally invested in the initiative. In July, he dispatched National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to engage with the Saudi leadership.
Israel has already signed diplomatic agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan since 2020. However, achieving normalization with Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, would have been a substantial achievement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his country.
Regrettably, these efforts have been thrown into uncertainty following the deadly attack by Hamas on October 7. This attack, in which more than 1,400 lives were lost, with over 200 individuals taken hostage, prompted Israel to respond with airstrikes in Gaza, an area under Hamas control, and raised the specter of a potential ground war to eradicate the group.
Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted its efforts to normalize relations with Israel. It's important to note that sources familiar with the situation have characterized this pause as temporary rather than a complete abandonment of diplomatic efforts.
President Biden's comments come in the wake of his recent visit to Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where the two leaders expressed mutual support. During the campaign fundraiser, President Biden shared a lighthearted anecdote about their relationship, recounting their first meeting when he was a senator and humorously inscribed a photograph of the two with, "Bibi, I love you, but I don't agree with a damn thing you say."
On Friday, President Biden submitted a substantial $106 billion emergency spending proposal to Congress, aimed at bolstering the military capabilities of both Israel and Ukraine. The proposal includes $61.4 billion designated for a year's worth of assistance to Ukraine and $14.3 billion for enhancing Israel's security.
It's worth noting that this funding request may encounter resistance in Congress, with some ultraconservative members opposing further support for Ukraine. Additionally, the absence of a Speaker in the House could impact the funding request's approval process.
In a rare Oval Office address on Thursday night, President Biden implored lawmakers not to allow the ongoing speakership struggle to impede efforts to safeguard democracy, stating, "We can't let petty partisan angry politics get in the way of our responsibility as a great nation."
During his remarks on Friday, President Biden also touched upon the political disarray in the House, referencing Republican Representative Jim Jordan's unsuccessful attempt to secure the role following a third vote. The speakership race has been marred by threats and intimidation.
The Friday fundraiser took place at the residence of prominent donor Claire Lucas, who serves as a deputy national finance chair at the Democratic National Committee, and entrepreneur Judy Dlugacz. The event successfully raised $1.6 million, according to Biden's campaign.
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