Saudi Arabia has refuted claims of a meeting between its trade minister and his Israeli counterpart in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
A widely circulated video purportedly showing the Saudi trade minister conversing with his Israeli counterpart at the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Abu Dhabi has been denied by Saudi Arabia.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi was reportedly engaged in conversation with his Nigerian counterpart when an unidentified individual approached to offer congratulations. The individual later introduced himself as the Minister of Economy in the Israeli government, as per official Saudi sources cited by SPA.
In response, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, expressed optimism about the talks held on Monday, suggesting potential for historic collaboration between the two nations.
The gathering in Abu Dhabi brought together trade ministers from various countries for a four-day WTO meeting focused on establishing new global trade regulations.
While discussions between Saudi Arabia and Israel are infrequent due to the absence of formal diplomatic relations, recent efforts by the United States have sought to foster closer ties between the two nations.
Emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to defending Palestinians against Israeli aggression, sources cited by the Saudi Press Agency highlighted the kingdom’s stance during the alleged interaction.
Meanwhile, in an interview, US President Joe Biden indicated that Saudi Arabia is prepared to recognize Israel. Biden disclosed ongoing communications with six Arab countries, including Qatar, and suggested that the recent Gaza ceasefire could pave the way for further diplomatic progress among Arab nations.
Asserting the necessity of a two-state solution to ensure Israel’s long-term security, Biden warned that failure to safeguard Palestinian lives in Rafah could jeopardize international support for Israel.
