US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, in a podcast interview broadcast on Wednesday, that Saudi Arabia made clear to the United States that the Palestinian issue occupies a central role that it will play in any future agreement with Israel.

Blinken said in his response to a question from the interviewer, Tommy Vietor, and his former deputy in the White House in the administration of former President Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes, on the “Pod Save The World” program regarding a group of news reports about a possible American-brokered normalization agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and Israel “It is clear from what we are hearing from the Saudis that if this process is to move forward, the Palestinian part is going to be very important,” Blinken said.

He added that it is also important for the Biden administration and for all countries that will participate in the negotiations. participate in this process.

Blinken said in his interview with the radio program, which was later published verbatim on the US State Department website: “In our opinion, of course, this must include the two-state solution.”

In response to a question addressing “the reason behind the Biden administration’s assistance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” he replied: “These matters are not related to the personality of the leaders, or the individuals who lead, but rather relate to the essence of the issue and whether we can, in every way.” What we do, is to advance a world that is a little more peaceful, a little more prosperous, a little more full of opportunity. There is no doubt in my mind that if we can help achieve normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, that will move the world in that direction. "We have seen extraordinary turmoil in that part of the world since at least 1979 - decades of turmoil."

He added that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be "beneficial to the region," and described it as "a change that will no longer be linked to any specific government, but rather to the basic interests of the countries concerned." However, Blinken noted that “normalization...cannot be a substitute for Israel and the Palestinians resolving their differences.”

The Minister went on to explain: “Now, this is really difficult. There is a lot that goes into it. It is not clear whether we will get there. But there is no doubt in my mind that if we can, it will be beneficial for us, beneficial for the countries involved, and beneficial "For the region, and good for the world beyond it. If you have a leading Islamic country in the world, an Islamic country in the world, that makes peace with Israel, that will have benefits that extend far beyond the region," he said. "Now, one piece is very important to this normalization - that is, Efforts to improve relations between Israel and its neighbors - cannot be a substitute for Israel and the Palestinians resolving their differences and achieving a much better future for the Palestinians. And in our view, of course, that must include a two-state solution. So it is also clear from what we are hearing from the Saudis that if this is to "If the process goes forward, the Palestinian part will be very important as well."

In response to a question regarding the previous normalization agreements in the Abraham Accords, “which said to the Palestinians, you will get bread crumbs, if not, or nothing at all.” The minister replied that things did not continue well regarding the spread of normalization with Arab and Islamic countries. Grand.

Blinken's statements show the gap between the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Biden administration regarding the Palestinian issue in the talks with the Saudis. While Washington is convinced that it would be impossible to reach a major agreement without achieving tangible benefits for the Palestinians and insists that this is Riyadh's position as well, Netanyahu and senior cabinet members oppose this, saying that the Palestinian issue is marginal in importance.