Ar-abnormal Negotiations: What does Israel-Saudi normalisation mean for Palestine?

Ar-abnormal Negotiations: What does Israel-Saudi normalisation mean for Palestine?

Author: The New Arab October 6, 2023 Duration: 31:18

Talk of normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel is hotting up. 

Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in 2020, and were deemed to be a major development in the region.

Israel is now looking to Saudi Arabia for a normalisation deal, which if achieved would have a major impact on the Middle East. 

But the deal is proving more difficult than the first normalisation deals. There are three main stumbling points. A Saudi security pact. Saudi nuclear ambitions. And the Palestine issue. 

This week on The New Arab Voice, we ask why Israel and Saudi Arabia are seeking normalisation? Can the Saudis get the security pact they want? Will the US agree to work with the Saudis on a civilian nuclear programme? Can the Palestinians get concessions from Israel, as part of the deal? And can the government of Benjamin Netanyahu's government survive a deal with Saudi Arabia?

Joining us to talk all things normalisation, we have Gerald Feierstein, a distinguished senior fellow on US diplomacy at the Middle East Institute (@MiddleEastInst), and Director of its Arabian Peninsula Affairs programme.

Also, Joe Macaron (@macaronjoe), a Global Fellow with the Wilson Centre's Middle East Program (@TheWilsonCenter) and research analyst primarily focusing on US strategy, conflict analysis, and international relations in the Middle East.

This podcast is written and produced by Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice.


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From a London newsroom, The New Arab Voice reaches across continents, offering a distinct perspective on events and ideas shaping communities from the Middle East and North Africa to Asia and global diasporas. This isn't just a headlines recap. Each episode weaves together rigorous news analysis, cultural insight, and historical context, treating complex political shifts and societal transformations with the depth they deserve. You'll hear from people living the stories-artists, analysts, and everyday voices-providing a nuanced understanding that moves beyond simplistic narratives. The podcast reflects the rich tapestry of the regions it covers, finding the connections between past and present, policy and personal experience. For listeners seeking to move past soundbites and explore the interplay of power, identity, and heritage, The New Arab Voice provides essential listening. It’s where current affairs meet deep storytelling, all grounded in the extensive journalistic tradition of The New Arab. Tune in for conversations that challenge assumptions and illuminate the underreported, fostering a more informed and engaged perspective on a dynamic part of the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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