Trigger a political move: This is the time to set an additional goal for the war

By Yoel Guzinsky

The government of Israel has established two central goals for ending the war - dismantling the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas; and return the hostages. It must add another goal that is no less important. Now, an American-sponsored initiative is being worked on that has not yet fully matured, but at its center is the link between Arab aid for the reconstruction of Gaza and the institutionalization of an alternative authority from Hamas, and normalization between Jerusalem and Riyadh.

In exchange for normalization, the Saudis, along with the Americans, demand the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Even in the normalization talks that took place before October 7, the Saudis talked about a political horizon, but in a less clear way. Now, in the wake of the anti-Israel wave that is rising in the region, Riyadh has become more committed to a Palestinian state. It must be said clearly that Hamas has succeeded in putting the Palestinian issue back in the headlines.

The Saudi media, which is consistent with the approach of Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the Kingdom, is proposing a deal that includes these frameworks. Also, the statements of the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Rima Bint Bandar, at the Davos Forum reflect support for Israel’s “integration” into the region, which is a different model from the Abraham Accords. When Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan was asked, during the Davos Forum, would Saudi Arabia recognize Israel within the framework of such a deal? He replied, "Of course."

Even after nearly four months of war and images of devastation in Gaza, the Saudis are leaving the door open for an agreement. The interests and motivations of theirs and of the United States remain the same, even strengthened, and the end of Hamas' rule in Gaza will be an opportunity to renew this path.

A Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement would be the appropriate answer to Hamas and Iran, which wanted to stop the path of normalization. Such an agreement would give Israel better economic profits and legitimacy in the Arab and Islamic worlds, strengthen the position of the United States in the region, and strengthen Saudi policy and security as an opposition force against Iran. Israel will appear to be opening doors to peace, reaping many fruits from the American administration, and benefiting from Arab aid and the international community for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Serious challenges remain before dialogues on normalization are renewed; First, the general regional mood is not in Israel's favor, and it appears that we will need a post-war “transition period” that includes political change in Israel. This is in addition to the start of the election year in the United States, which makes it difficult for it to focus on leading the move. To this, Saudi demands must be added, most notably the construction of infrastructure that includes uranium enrichment on its territory. If the Saudi position on enrichment changes, Israel will have to adhere strongly to the American initiative.

The Saudis are not keen on taking responsibility for the Gaza Strip. They do not want this preoccupation and headache. But they want a security agreement with the United States, and therefore, they will invest their time and their economic, religious and political weight, in cooperation with other countries, to shape the new reality in Gaza.

This goal must be part of the war goals. It will be difficult for Israel to achieve the original war goals - which are still far from being achieved - if it does not adopt complementary political goals. Adopting these goals will constitute a good response to Iran and Hamas, strengthen relations with the United States, and help integrate Israel into the regional system that curbs Iran.