A Saudi envoy for the Palestinians in Riyadh's diplomatic game with Israel

The Wahhabi kingdom appoints the ambassador to Jordan as "non-permanent" representative to the Palestinian Authority and "consul" in Jerusalem. Minister Cohen replies that Israel "will never authorise" the mission. In the background is the extension of the 'Abraham Accords'.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Riyadh has announced - unilaterally - an extension of the duties of the Saudi ambassador to Jordan, who will be called to assume the role of "non-permanent ambassador" to the Palestinian Authority and "consul" in Jerusalem.

The Israeli retort was immediate, as it does not intend to recognise the opening of diplomatic missions between the kingdom and the PNA, even and especially if they will involve the status of the holy city, which the government considers the indivisible capital of the State.

It is a blow that, at least for the moment, seems to distance the extension to the Saudis of the so-called "Abraham Accords", reached so far with other Arab States often "on the skin" of the Palestinian people.

In an unprecedented decision, Saudi Arabia appointed the ambassador to Jordan Nayef al-Sudairi as non-resident ambassador for the Palestinian Territories and consul general for Jerusalem on 12 August.

A post on the official social site of the diplomatic representation in Amman states that his duties will also include that of 'consul general' in the holy (and disputed) city by Israelis and Palestinians. However, the Israeli executive has already ruled out any prospect of concessions - territorial or otherwise - to the Palestinians in normalisation of relations with Riyadh.

Interviewed by the 103Fm radio station, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated that although the Saudis "do not need our permission" to open diplomatic representations and "have not consulted with us", Israel will not authorise the establishment of any mission.

Not least because, he continued, the Palestinian issue is not a major part of the ongoing negotiations with the Wahhabi kingdom. For the head of Israeli diplomacy, the Saudi move is a message to the Palestinians, who "have not forgotten them" but "we do not allow countries to open consulates.

It is incompatible with our positions'. And in view of the ongoing dialogues, Minister Cohen concludes by saying that "we have a window of opportunity of nine to 12 months, because after this period the United States will be immersed in the election campaign".

The position of the Palestinian Authority is different, applauding the Saudi decision to appoint a high-level diplomatic representative for the Territories and Jerusalem. In a note posted on X (formerly Twitter), the PNA emphasises that the timing of the decision reflects Saudi Arabia's "interest" "in the Palestinian cause", which is one of the "foundations" on which Riyadh's "foreign policy" is based "in the Arab, Islamic and international world". As well as being an "extension of Saudi Arabia's position in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of our people".

The announcement came in the context of intensified US efforts to establish formal relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia for the first time. There was also speculation in Israel that Riyadh - which has so far opposed establishing formal ties until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved - might now be willing to sign without Israel providing the Palestinians with greater autonomy. "It's kind of a tick box," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview broadcast last week.

The perspective in the Arab world is different, as reflected in assessments by Saudi and Palestinian analysts that the very appointment of Ambassador al-Sudairi is a sign of an attempt to improve the treatment of the Palestinians. Abdulaziz Alghashian, a Saudi expert on relations between Riyadh and Israel, says that "this is the Saudi way of communicating something" that Israel might not even like.

• Israel
• Saudi Arabia
• Abrahamic Agreements
• Jews
• Muslims
• diplomacy