‘It’s going to happen’

In an interview published Friday by Time Magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed unwavering confidence that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel, potentially joining the Abraham Accords.

“Riyadh will sign onto the Abraham Accords,” Trump declared, ahead of a planned Middle East tour next month that will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s going to happen,” he added, offering no further details on the timeline or conditions.

The White House emphasized that Trump aims to “strengthen ties” with these key Gulf allies amid ongoing tensions in Gaza and delicate negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

A potential Saudi-Israeli normalization deal could reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, unlocking significant economic and political opportunities for both nations and the broader region.

The Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020 during Trump’s first term, marked a historic breakthrough, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco formally recognizing Israel.

These agreements opened the door to billions of dollars in trade, investment, and technological collaboration, while fostering unprecedented regional cooperation.

A Saudi entry into the Accords could amplify these benefits exponentially, given the kingdom’s economic clout and political influence as a leading Sunni power.

Economically, a Saudi-Israeli partnership could drive transformative growth.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeks to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy through investments in technology, tourism, and renewable energy. Israel, a global leader in innovation, cybersecurity, and agritech, could provide critical expertise and partnerships to accelerate these goals.

Joint ventures in sectors like artificial intelligence, water management, and defense technology could generate billions in economic activity, while fostering job creation and knowledge exchange. Moreover, normalized relations could pave the way for Saudi investments in Israel’s burgeoning tech sector and open Israeli markets to Saudi goods and services.

Politically, a Saudi-Israeli détente would bolster regional stability and counter Iran’s growing influence, a shared concern for both nations.

By aligning two of Washington’s closest allies, the United States could strengthen its strategic position in the Middle East, facilitating coordinated responses to challenges like Iran’s nuclear ambitions and proxy conflicts.

For Saudi Arabia, formal ties with Israel could enhance its global standing, positioning Riyadh as a pivotal player in fostering peace and cooperation in a historically volatile region.

However, the path to normalization faces significant hurdles. The ongoing Gaza conflict and Saudi Arabia’s insistence on a Palestinian state as a precondition for any deal remain major sticking points.

Riyadh has repeatedly stated it will not normalize relations with Israel without tangible progress toward Palestinian statehood—a proposition firmly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The recent war in Gaza has further complicated negotiations, with Arab public opinion wary of rapprochement amid the humanitarian crisis.

Despite these challenges, Trump’s optimism reflects his administration’s determination to expand the Abraham Accords, building on the diplomatic successes of his first term.

His planned visit to Saudi Arabia, originally intended as his first major foreign trip before the passing of Pope Francis on Monday, underscores the priority he places on this initiative. The pontiff’s funeral, scheduled for Saturday, has delayed Trump’s travel plans, but his focus on the Gulf remains unwavering.

As Trump prepares to engage with Saudi leadership, the prospect of a historic agreement looms large. Should Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords, the economic dividends and political realignments could herald a new era of prosperity and stability in the Middle East, cementing Trump’s legacy as a dealmaker in one of the world’s most complex regions.