US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke yesterday Saturday of a “tremendous opportunity” in the Middle East, as “almost all Arab countries” wish at some point to normalize their relations with Israel.

“There appears to be an excellent opportunity for Israel to put an end to this cycle” of violence in the coming months, assessed the Munich Security Conference.

“Almost all Arab countries now want Israel to join the region, to normalize their relations with it if they haven’t already, to offer security guarantees and commitments so that Israel feels more secure,” he continued.

Blinken’s remarks came as Israel prepares to attack Rafah, the southernmost town in the Gaza Strip where most of the enclave’s population has taken refuge, with what it says is an aim to track down Hamas fighters. Israel has pledged to eliminate Hamas after its attack, but has not openly addressed the question of Gaza’s future after the war.

“Genuine efforts are underway (…) to reform the Palestinian Authority” in order to become “a better partner for the future”, assured the American minister, stating that it is “essential” to create a Palestinian state.

The US, in cooperation with Qatar and Egypt, is working towards a truce in the war that broke out on October 7 so that Israeli hostages can be released and more aid can reach Gaza.

In Munich, Blinken also had talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who assessed that it is important for Israel to work towards rapprochement with Saudi Arabia. A rapprochement between the two countries would be a “victory over the machinations” of Hamas, Herzog said.

“I sincerely believe that moving towards normalization and making every effort is a very important historic opportunity,” he added, calling on all sides to “seize the opportunity.”

Responding directly to Blinken’s comments about the other Arab countries, the Israeli president admitted that there are “opportunities”, noting that they should be “considered in depth”.

“However, before anything else, Israel’s security must be maintained. And for that we must complete the task of undermining and eliminating the basic infrastructure of Hamas,” Herzog emphasized.

Saudi Arabia had reiterated at the beginning of the month that it “will not have diplomatic relations with Israel” if a Palestinian state is not recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and as long as the “attack” on Gaza continues.

Also yesterday, also speaking from the Munich Conference, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the only path to security and stability in the Middle East, including Israel, is through the establishment of a Palestinian state.

When asked on a panel at the Conference about establishing relations with Israel, Prince Faisal said the kingdom was currently focusing on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip war.

Saudi Arabia did not join the 2020 Abraham Accords, which were signed under US auspices and allowed Bahrain, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates to have formal relations with Israel.

EM