The conversation about normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is complicated as it would have to involve the pathway to a Palestinian state.

The Israeli government might not be in the position to proceed with Saudi normalization given that such a deal requires a pathway to Palestinian statehood, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“The Saudis have been very clear that [normalization] would require calm in Gaza, and it would require a credible pathway to a Palestinian state,” Blinken said.

“It may well be… that at this moment, Israel is not able or willing to proceed down that pathway,” he explained.

Blinken spoke just one day after US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan visited Israel and Saudi Arabia in an effort to advance the triad deal.

It involves a security pact between Riyadh and Washington, a normalization deal with Israel and Saudi Arabia, and a pathway for Palestinian statehood.

The November presidential elections, which would also shift the makeup of the Senate, have set a tight timeline for the completion of such a deal.

The Senate has to approve the agreement with 67 out of 100 votes, given that it includes a security pact. The existing Senate would support the deal, as long as it includes all three elements. It’s unclear, however, if there would be enough backing in the next Senate.

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