Is Saudi Arabia’s Youthful New ‘King In Waiting’ Good For Israel?
Image by getty
By Ari Feldman June 21, 2017
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was recently given the title by his father, the current king of Saudi Arabia, is being lauded in some corners as an ‘ally of Israel.’
Though only 31 years old, bin Salman was put next in line for the throne at a time when the kingdom is consolidating its power in the region.
In May, Bin Salman reportedly called Israel “the sole lighthouse of democracy and freedom in one of the more troubled areas of the world,” and called on Arabs to embrace Israel.
Bin Salman has reportedly met with Israeli officials to begin economic negotiations. Preliminary agreements are said to include allowing Israeli business to operate in Saudi Arabia and permitting El Al planes to fly in Saudi airspace.
The crown prince also reportedly hopes to work with Israel and the U.S. on limiting Russia’s influence in the region, stopping ISIS, and clamping down on Iran.
Contact Ari Feldman at feldman@forward.com or on Twitter @aefeldman.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
