Saudi Arabia to Sign Abd Abraham Accords at a Later Convenience: Trump's Statement
During his visit to Riyadh on May 13, 2025, US President Donald Trump expressed his desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords—normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states. Trump acknowledged that any involvement from Saudi Arabia would be a matter of its own timing, respecting the kingdom's current hesitance to advance relations with Israel due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the absence of a clear path forward for a Palestinian state.
The kingdom's participation in the Abraham Accords hinges on progress regarding Palestinian statehood, a position reaffirmed following the intensification of criticism toward Israel within Saudi Arabia[2][5]. Trump's comments during the visit, including statements concerning Gaza, further emphasize the administration's reluctance to pressure Israel on Palestinian matters, indicating that immediate Saudi participation in the Accords is unlikely without a notable change in either Israel's or Saudi Arabia's stance[5].
The Abraham Accords have Saudi Arabia as a key potential participant in expanding the normalization efforts, but as of May 2025, its involvement remains on hold due to geopolitical considerations and the unsettled Palestinian question[2][3][5]. The visit marked the beginning of Trump's second-term international tour, during which he aims to secure trade deals and strategic partnerships following a wave of new US tariffs[4]. The president also plans to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, both playing crucial roles in Gulf diplomacy and economic cooperation[4].
Sources:[1] Al Bawaba News[2] Middle East Eye[3] The New Arab[4] Reuters[5] The Washington Post
- The current political stance of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating hesitance towards advancing relations with Israel, is influenced by the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the lack of a clear path towards a Palestinian state, as highlighted during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh in May 2025.
- The involvement of Saudi Arabia in the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states, is contingent upon progress concerning Palestinian statehood, a fact reiterated following increased criticism towards Israel within Saudi Arabia.
- The realm of general news, domestic and international, often shifts focus towards political issues, such as the potential participation of Saudi Arabia in the Abraham Accords and the ongoing Palestinian question, as was reflected during Trump's second-term international tour in May 2025.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation and business, the signing of the Abraham Accords by some Arab states without Saudi Arabia has possibly created an opportunity for other strategic partnerships and trade deals in the region, particularly during US President Donald Trump's second-term international tour, as he aims to secure such agreements following new US tariffs.
