IntelBrief: After October 7th, Is Saudi-Israeli Normalization Just a Mirage?

Bottom Line Up Front

• Normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel faces new challenges after October 7th, but these obstacles are not expected to derail the relationship or significantly impede progress on normalization talks.
• Saudi officials are linking Israeli concessions on the Palestinian issue to a long-sought Saudi-Israel normalization of relations.
• Saudi Arabia has joined U.S. and Arab leaders opposing an Israeli assault on Rafah, which now hosts many Gaza residents who fled fighting from further north in the densely populated territory.
• Saudi Arabia continues to negotiate with Houthi leaders on a settlement in the Yemen war, an outcome that might produce an end to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.