Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman told Trump ally he could recognize Israel ‘today’

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has privately expressed his readiness to recognize Israel, stating he could do so "today," but identified his father, King Salman, as the primary impediment. This assertion was made during a private meeting with evangelical leader and Trump ally Mike Evans.

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When I talked to the crown prince, he told me that he would acknowledge Israel today. But he said his problem was his father.

Evans, founder of Friends of Zion, told The Jerusalem Post that he met with the crown prince for two hours, accompanied by MBS's brother and the Saudi foreign minister. According to Evans, the crown prince's brother conveyed a similar view regarding recognition of Israel. The Jerusalem Post noted that this account could not be independently verified.

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I think it’s genuine. Donald Trump has got enormous negotiating leverage with Saudi Arabia right now. Enormous leverage. And I don’t think there’s any question of the doubt that the president plans on delivering these countries because he’s trying to move towards a genuine peace.

The reported private conversation comes amid efforts by US President Donald Trump to connect a potential deal with Iran to a wider push for Arab and Muslim countries to join the Abraham Accords. Trump has reportedly spoken with leaders from several nations, including Saudi Arabia, urging them to normalize relations with Israel.

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The crown prince said, speaking to the Palestinians, they wasted our money. He said they shouldn’t be attacking Israel. They should be copying Israel.

Evans expressed belief in the seriousness of Trump's diplomatic efforts, stating that the president possesses significant leverage with Saudi Arabia. He also claimed that during their conversation, the Saudi crown prince was critical of the Palestinians, suggesting they had wasted resources and should emulate Israel's approach. Evans further alleged that MBS rejected the idea of dividing Jerusalem, calling it a potential "terror capital" and appearing more pro-Israel than many Jewish individuals.

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When he spoke about Jerusalem, he said if there was ever two capitals in Jerusalem, it’d be a terror capital. He appeared to be more pro-Israel than a large percentage of the Jewish population.