MBS faces assassination threat over Israel deal push

A report by US-based news outlet Politico has claimed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is at risk of assassination due to his efforts to normalize relations with Israel. The report states that MBS informed members of the US Congress that his life was in danger as he pursued a grand bargain involving the US and Israel, which includes normalizing Saudi-Israeli ties.

According to Politico, citing a former US official, MBS has discussed these threats to emphasize the necessity of including a clear and irreversible path to a future Palestinian state in any agreement. In one meeting, MBS referenced former Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated in 1981 by Egyptian extremists after signing a peace treaty with Israel.

A source familiar with the matter told Politico that MBS expressed the gravity of the situation, saying, “Saudis care deeply about this, and the street throughout the Middle East cares deeply about this, and my tenure as the keeper of the holy sites of Islam will not be secure if I don’t address what is the most pressing issue of justice in our region.”

The report notes that it is unclear how recent these assassination concerns are, especially given that the possibility of an Israel-Saudi normalization deal has diminished in recent months, according to congressional sources.

Despite these risks, MBS is reportedly determined to pursue the deal with the US and Israel, viewing it as essential for Saudi Arabia’s future. However, the report adds that the Israeli government has been resistant to including a credible path to a Palestinian state in the agreement.

Earlier this year, during an intense Israeli offensive in Gaza, Saudi Arabia reiterated to the US that it would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state was recognised based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and Israeli "aggression" on Gaza ceased. This position was reaffirmed in a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry.

Prior to this, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that the Biden administration had received positive indications that Saudi Arabia and Israel were open to continuing normalization discussions. However, the kingdom subsequently reaffirmed its firm stance on the Palestinian issue in light of Kirby’s comments.