You know what? We’re not sure that Saudi Arabia has Israel’s best interests in heart:
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States rejected recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. “There are 1.5 million civilians in Israel who do not define themselves as Jewish,” Adel al-Jubeir told reporters at the U.S.-convened Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Annapolis, Md… Al-Jubeir did not think it was inappropriate that the Saudis refused to shake hands with the Israelis at the conference. “This is a serious effort, we are not here for theatrics,” he said. “The time for handshakes will come when there is a peace agreement.”
And when Saudi Arabia Arabia says “peace deal” they mean that Israel has to commit suicide:
The Saudi foreign minister told the closed afternoon session that Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to their original homes. Saud al-Faisal, the Israeli official said, listed the core “final status” issues that have to be resolved in the accelerated negotiating process launched here, but specified the need for a “right of return” to the refugees.
So Saudi Arabia won’t make peace with Israel until there’s a peace deal they approve of, and any peace deal they approve of would mean the end of Israel. What a neat way to get around Bush’s assurances to Olmert that only countries willing to make peace with Israel would be invited to Annapolis.
References:
* Saudi envoy: No to ‘Jewish’ state [JTA]
* Saudis urge Palestinian right of return [JPost]
* The Saudi Peace Initiative: A Discrete Way to Destroy Israel, Based on an Ethical Lie [MR]
* Annapolis As A Rosetta Stone For How Anti-Israel Bait And Switch Diplomacy Works [MR]
Previously:
* Hey Gals, Check This Out – Your Saudi Husband Isn’t Allowed To Beat You In The Face Because It "Makes Your Face Ugly"
* Bush Launches Final Status Talks: "I Don’t Think It’s A Risk To Try" Having Israel Make Concessions To Abbas (Plus: Anti-Abbas Riots Spread Through West Bank) [Video] [MR]
* Hey Saudi Arabia, Shove It
