Saudi crown prince tells Trump Riyadh wants to join Abraham Accords, but only with Palestinian state

Netanyahu has consistently rejected the creation of a Palestinian state.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Saudi Arabia signaled a renewed interest in formal ties with Israel during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, marking the heir’s first visit to Washington in seven years.

According to U.S. officials, the crown prince told the president that Riyadh “wants to be part of the Abraham Accords – but also ensure a path to the two-state solution.”

After the talks, President Trump briefed reporters on the discussion, saying the prospect of an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia received a positive response from the crown prince.

He also said the Saudis were prepared to play a central role in rebuilding Gaza and noted that bin Salman pledged to “definitely help” finance reconstruction.

During an extended public exchange in the Oval Office, President Trump said efforts to advance calm across the region were proceeding cooperatively. “The Palestinians are doing very well… We’re working very closely with a lot of people that make everybody happy, including Israel, the Palestinians and everybody,” he said, presenting the talks as part of a broader diplomatic push.

The president also stated he was ready to authorize the sale of top-tier American aircraft to the kingdom and said both Saudi Arabia and Israel will benefit; “As far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top-of-the-line (F-35s),” he said.

Still, any Saudi move toward the Abraham Accords will face political hurdles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently rejected the creation of a Palestinian state, even as he welcomed the UN Security Council’s endorsement of President Trump’s Gaza framework, which contains elements pointing to a two-state requirement.

Israeli defense officials have also voiced concern that supplying F-35s to the Saudis could weaken Israel’s longstanding qualitative military edge. Jerusalem has previously intervened to block deliveries of advanced aircraft to states such as Turkey and the UAE, citing the same principle.