Saudi Arabia, currently engaged in US-brokered discussions with Israel aimed at normalizing relations, made a significant diplomatic move on Tuesday by sending a delegation to the occupied West Bank for the first time in 30 years.
The delegation, led by Nayef al-Sudairi, Saudi Arabia’s non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian territories, entered the West Bank via an overland route from Jordan. This marks the first instance of a Saudi delegation visiting the West Bank since the historic Oslo Accords were signed in 1993.
Nayef al-Sudairi, who also serves as the Saudi envoy to Jordan, was recently appointed as the non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian territories and consul general for Jerusalem. His visit to the West Bank includes meetings with top Palestinian diplomat Riyad al-Maliki and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
This development coincides with ongoing negotiations facilitated by Washington between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the aim of potentially normalizing relations—a move that could have significant implications for the entire region.