A big Saudi delegation is coming to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas this week, as the kingdom moves closer to a deal with Israel.
The Reuters news agency reported that the delegation will be headed by Saudi Ambassador to Jordan, Nayef al-Shudairi. Last month, he was appointed as Riyadh’s first non-resident ambassador and consul general in Jerusalem. A senior Palestinian official said al-Sheikh would be in Ramallah. On Monday, al-Sheikh welcomed the ambassador, saying he would present his credentials to President Abbas in a few days.
The visit comes as Saudi Arabia and Israel are on the brink of a US-backed deal that would see them give up on their earlier demand for a state for the Palestinians before normalization. But the Saudis are still expected to ask for some big concessions from Israel.
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