Saudis not currently forthcoming on normalisation efforts

According to Israeli assessments, there is currently no certainty that Arab states would respond to an Israeli settlement freeze with reciprocal measures of normalisation, despite US optimism in this regard. The stance of Saudi Arabia is considered essential in this regard. Israeli officials believe that the smaller Gulf States would respond positively if Saudi Arabia does. However, Saudi Arabia is thought to consider the launching of the Saudi Peace Initiative to be a gesture to Israel, which has not been taken up, and as a result Riyadh is believed to be reluctant to take further steps. Efforts are continuing to reach an agreed stance with the US on the issue of a settlement freeze. However, deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said yesterday that Israel could not be expected to order a settlement freeze if the other side was not prepared to take reciprocal steps.

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