In public, Trump and bin Salman flattered one another; however, part of their closed-door discussions were reportedly tense.
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a “civil but difficult” meeting at the White House last week in which talks grew tense over Saudi–Israel normalization, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
In public, Trump and bin Salman flattered one another; however, part of their closed-door discussions were tense, according to Axios. Trump was disappointed to hear the pushback from the Saudi crown prince, the report stated, citing officials. During a public meeting at the White House with bin Salman, Trump said he received a positive response from the Saudi crown prince on Saudi-Israeli normalization during their conversations. Bin Salman said he wants his country to be part of the Abraham Accords, but also make sure to secure a path to a two-state solution."
In private, when Trump pushed for the Muslim nation to join the Abraham Accords, bin Salman pushed back, arguing that Saudi public opinion is overwhelmingly anti-Israel following the Israel-Hamas War. He claimed that Saudi Arabian society is not ready for normalization, Axios said, citing three sources. "The best way to say it is disappointment and irritation. The president really wants them to join the Abraham Accords. He tried very hard to talk to him. It was an honest discussion. But MBS is a strong man. He stood his ground," Axios quoted one source as saying. (Read More)
