A previously undisclosed phone call last month shows President Donald Trump pushing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take a big step: normalize ties with Israel.
According to people briefed on the call and reported by Axios, Trump told MBS that since he had helped end the war in Gaza, it was time for Saudi Arabia to move toward normalizing relations with Israel. The crown prince reportedly replied that he was open to working with the Trump team on it. The Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment.
U.S. officials are quietly hoping for progress before MBS visits the White House next week, though they admit big differences still exist between Saudi and Israeli positions. For years, Saudi leaders have said they won’t normalize relations without a clear path to Palestinian statehood a central demand that stalled talks after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Trump has repeatedly said he expects the Abraham Accords the normalization deals between Israel and several Arab states to expand soon, and he’s publicly expressed hope Saudi Arabia will join. Officials told Axios some Saudi concerns may now be closer to being addressed. As part of the expected White House talks, Trump may offer a U.S. security pledge to Saudi Arabia. It wouldn’t be a full treaty, but officials say it could be a stepping stone toward stronger ties.
The Trump administration argues its Gaza peace plan leaves room for Palestinian self-determination in the future. The plan suggests that if the Palestinian Authority carries out reforms during reconstruction, a “credible pathway” to statehood could emerge, supported by U.S.-led talks aimed at a political settlement.
Still, not everyone is convinced a political promise will be enough. A former U.S. official familiar with Saudi thinking said MBS will likely want firm, public commitments from Israel concrete actions he can point to at home especially since public sentiment in Saudi Arabia has hardened after the Gaza war.
So, the scene is set: Trump pressing for steps toward normalization, Saudi leaders signaling willingness to discuss, and both sides weighing whether political language and security guarantees will satisfy the reality on the ground and the expectations of their people. The coming White House meeting will be watched closely to see whether vague promises turn into real progress or more talk.
