Riyadh Hesitates to Pursue Normalization with Tel Aviv

While Riyadh looks to establish diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv, it still appears concerned about the ensuing reaction should it proceed to put the finishing touches on the normalization process that had been—until recently— kept a secret. That’s why it’s been testing the waters before diving deep.
 
Were it not for mounting pressure from the public, Saudi Arabia would have remained quiet over retired General Anwar Eshki’s visit to the Israeli regime. It is unequivocal that Riyadh is pleased with the series of meetings that have taken place between Saudi and Israeli officials in the past year. Yet, for reasons beyond their control, the Saudis are being forced to hit the brakes, at least until the spate of outrage cools down.
 
Due to this reaction, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah al-Mouallimi had to criticize Eshki’s trip to Israeli regime, saying he misused his rank.
 
Amid a wave of criticism, the Saudis are pretending that Eshki did not visit the Israeli regime as a representative of the Al Saud. However, it is hard to believe that in a closed regime as that of Saudi Arabia a general of that rank can visit Israel without authorities’ permission.
 
Although relations between Riyadh and Tel Aviv are not the product of a sudden overnight shift in regional policy, its recent surfacing triggered public anger within the Muslim World.
 
Observers believe Eshki’s visit, which was nearly impossible to go by unnoticed by the monarchy considering his rank, is part of a test to further put people’s reaction under study. It is true that anger was the predominant sentiment when talk of softening Saudi-Israeli relations first emerged but even that is susceptible to change in time and under the influence of propaganda and incentives, for the most part.  
 
But the Arab and Muslim worlds have not wavered before these changes. Eshki’s visit sparked much fury much to the disappointment of Riyadh. By disowning the visit, Saudi authorities distance themselves from the center of anger while realizing that the time has not yet come for a sweeping normalization with the enemy of the Arab and Muslim nations.
 
The experiment, however, has put Eshki under scrutiny. The Saudis claimed they had no prior knowledge of the trip to occupied Palestine where Eshki met with Israeli officials and they also shamed the move. Consequently, Eshki’s face was sacrificed so the state can save its own. At the same time, Eshki’s visit was only verbally criticised while Riyadh took no punitive measures against him.
 
If Saudi Arabia were serious about the Palestinian cause and its stance against the Israeli regime as an antagonistic entity in the region which continues to shed Palestinian blood, threaten the Arab world with wars, and plot against regional governments then it would have at least taken measures against Eshki.
 
Having said this, it is clear that the Saudis now seem hesitant to further pursue overt relations with the Israeli regime, not because they lack the drive but because they are obviously worried about the repercussions of such a move.