Historic meeting between Israeli and Saudi diplomats in Monaco

Israel’s official state radio has reported that a “historic meeting” was held between Israeli and Saudi diplomats on the sidelines of the World Policy Conference in Monaco.

According to the report, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, a former intelligence minister who previously served as the Saudi ambassador to the United States, shook hands with Israel’s former ambassador to Washington Itamar Rabinovich and Knesset member Meir Shitrit.

Prince Faisal has urged Israel to accept the Saudi peace initiative, but reportedly declined an invitation from MK Shitrit to deliver a speech before the Knesset, saying that such a move is futile as long as Israel refuses to adopt the peace initiative.

In his conference remarks, Prince Faisal questioned the commitment of US President Barack Obama towards the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. According to the New York Times, he complained that: “We’ve seen several red lines put forward by the president, which went along and became pinkish as time grew, and eventually ended up completely white.”

He continued: “When that kind of assurance comes from a leader of a country like the United States, we expect him to stand by it.” He added, “There is an issue of confidence.”