Middle East
Kushner urges Trump to support Saudi-Israel deal
September 7, 2023 — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham also conveyed the message to the former U.S. president about adding Riyadh to the Abraham Accords.
Iran, Saudi Arabia cement rapprochement with exchange of ambassadors
September 6, 2023 — Envoys arrive in Riyadh and Tehran, where Saudi ambassador stresses ‘importance of strengthening ties, increasing engagement… and taking the (relationship) to broader horizons’
Cohen inaugurates Israeli embassy during diplomatic trip to Bahrain
September 5, 2023 — During a joint ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Cohen affixed a mezuzah on the embassy’s doorpost.
Libyan PM rejects Israel normalization in first comments since his FM met Cohen
September 1, 2023 — Hamid Dbeibah says ‘harsh measures’ will be taken after foreign minister met ‘independently’ with Israeli counterpart, but officials dispute his claim that he didn’t know about it
Saudi funding offer to PA seen as step toward normalization with Israel
August 31, 2023 — The kingdom contributed billions to Palestinian causes until cutting off funding over corruption.
Netanyahu thanks Saudi Arabia for hospitality, after Israelis return from Jeddah
August 30, 2023 — Prime Minister says he appreciates the good neighborly welcome Israelis received when their plane was forced to land in the kingdom’s Jeddah airport; passengers say Saudis greeted them in Hebrew and were kind
Syria says Israel struck Aleppo airport, putting it out of service
August 29, 2023 — State media claims Israel Air Force warplanes launched strike from Mediterranean Sea, inflicting damage on runway
Libya’s FM suspended amid outcry over meeting Israeli counterpart
August 28, 2023 — The North African nation’s PM discussed the possibility of normalization back in January.
Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE all set to join BRICS bloc of emerging economies
August 25, 2023 — Group, which includes Western rivals Russia and China, also to welcome Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia in 2024; Tehran hails ‘strategic victory for Iran’s foreign policy’
Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization 'likely early next year,' senior Israeli official says
August 24, 2023 — Official notes U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s frequent visits to Saudi Arabia have spurred progress
Jake Sullivan: No deal with Saudi Arabia in sight
August 24, 2023 — White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan commented that there is no imminent US-Israel-Saudi Arabia deal to be expected.
Israel strikes targets on Damascus outskirts, Syrian state media reports
August 22, 2023 — According to reports, multiple explosions heard in Syrian capital’s area; Syrian defense ministry says Israel carried out attack from Golan Heights, Syrian soldier injured in strike