Jared Kushner, Lindsey Graham push Trump to back Biden-brokered Saudi-Israel deal

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and former senior White House adviser Jared Kushner have encouraged former US president Donald Trump to support his successor Joe Biden’s effort to broker a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The type of defense pact that Riyadh is asking to sign with the United States exchange for normalizing ties with Israel will likely require congressional approval and will need the support of at least some Republicans in a deeply divided Congress.

Accordingly, vocal opposition from Trump could harm Biden’s chances of getting the bipartisan support he needs — particularly crucial given the distaste for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman among progressive Democrats due to the Gulf kingdom’s human rights record. READ MORE