In a bold and potentially dangerous move, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is pushing for a groundbreaking deal with the United States and Israel, risking his life in the process. He has told members of Congress that his efforts to normalize ties with Israel, while securing key guarantees for Saudi Arabia, have placed him in grave danger. Drawing a comparison to Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian leader assassinated after brokering peace with Israel, MBS has questioned what measures the U.S. would take to protect him, emphasizing the gravity of the threats he faces.
Behind closed doors, the Crown Prince has made it clear that any deal must include a real path toward a Palestinian state. This insistence has grown stronger following the Gaza conflict, which has reignited fury across the Arab world. Despite this, MBS remains determined to finalize a historic agreement, seeing it as essential for Saudi Arabia’s future. Reports suggest that the deal includes U.S. security guarantees, aid for a civilian nuclear program, and economic investments, while Saudi Arabia would agree to reduce its ties with China and formalize relations with Israel.
Yet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refusal to include the creation of a Palestinian state in the deal poses a significant hurdle. MBS has reportedly stressed that the Palestinian issue is not just a political concern but a matter of justice for the region and crucial for his role as the guardian of Islam’s holy sites. Without addressing this, the Crown Prince believes Saudi Arabia cannot benefit fully from the promised economic and technological advancements.
The stakes are high, and the risks are real. MBS strategy is clear: by framing this deal as a life-or-death decision, he hopes to press U.S. and Israeli officials into taking his demands seriously. Peacemaking in the Middle East has always been perilous, and this deal is no exception. Despite the risks, MBS sees this as a crucial step for Saudi Arabia’s future stability and prosperity.
With the region future hanging in the balance, both MBS and U.S. leaders are banking on the possibility that Netanyahu will consider the long-term benefits of peace over the immediate fallout of conflict. But whether this high-stakes gamble will pay off remains uncertain.
