Under the young crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is poised for the winds of change. Salman visited the UK recently and was received in Buckingham Palace. Not surprising since he is encouraging Saudi women to drive motor cars in the country, throwing the old conservatism which kept the country backward to the winds. Salman obviously believes in an agenda of reform to bring enlightenment to his country which has long been an area of darkness. What is more significant is that he seems to be of the opinion that Israel is entitled to its own land. Riyadh and Jerusalem can forge a fruitful relationship. His statement comes in the wake of renewed violence between Palestine and Israel over a blockade in Gaza, a permanent trouble spot. Saudi Arabia has long claimed to be the leader of an Islamic coalition in West Asia and has been in the past uncompromisingly hostile to Israel which it does not yet recognize. Economic and political considerations must have driven Saudi Arabia to adopt the new line of thinking. It wants closer cooperation with the developing economy of Israel and Riyadh considers it a lesser enemy than Iran.
It remains to be seen if Salman plays an effective role in prompting western powers to bring about a rapprochement between Israel and Palestine. Stake holders should follow the footsteps of Salman who says that he is not opposed to peaceful coexistence between the two warring nations. Radical elements in Palestine, Israel and Saudi Arabia must be opposed to such pacifism but Salman, perhaps is in a position to contain the hostile forces.
