Saudi-Israel relations may well be on the verge of a breakthrough, the newly appointed Israeli ambassador to the United States has suggested.
Yechiel Leiter, 65, who officially began his new role on Friday, has stated that normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia is “closer than ever”.
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Leiter said: “[Israel is] closer to Saudi Arabia because we’ve degraded Hamas. The fall of Assad and the weakening of Iran’s influence have brought us to a moment of opportunity.”
He explained that “few countries in the world” wish to see the degradation of Hamas as much as Saudi Arabia, who see the weakening of the terror group, along with Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, as “crucial” to its own modernisation.
Leiter, who is also a historian and ordained rabbi, was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Israel in 1978 aged 18, later becoming a combat medic in the IDF during the 1982 Lebanon War. He has authored multiple books on Zionism and Israeli politics, lecturing around the world, and has held leadership roles in government and public policy institutions.
Leiter described normalisation efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia as part of a broader strategic realignment in the Middle East. He explained: “Normalisation is not just about trade agreements or diplomatic niceties. It’s about creating a new framework for regional stability, one that rejects extremism and fosters cooperation.”
He also emphasised the historic significance of a potential deal with the Kingdom and how far Israel has come since its total isolation in the region: “Thirty years ago, even discussing such agreement would have been unthinkable. Now, thanks to the Abraham Accords and changing dynamics, we are on the cusp of a major breakthrough.”
Leiter expressed optimism at the new approach the US has to the region under President Donald Trump, which he said demonstrates a clear understanding of Israel’s and Saudi Arabia’s security needs, particularly in dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He described Trump as a key player in reshaping Middle East dynamics, highlighting his approach as “common sense” rooted in “creative practicality”.
The major hurdle to peace, Leiter admitted, would be the perception of the Palestinian issue. He concluded: “The Saudis want to ensure that their public sees tangible benefits for the Palestinians in any deal. It’s a delicate balancing act, but one that can be managed through pragmatic negotiations and international support.”
