The issue of reaching a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia presents several challenges, the foremost being that Trump and the Saudis will likely demand “payment” in the form of concessions regarding the so-called “Palestinian Arabs.”
It is no coincidence that just yesterday, a statement was published on behalf of the “Saudi Royal Court,” expressing optimism about a potential agreement — on the condition that Israel makes concessions regarding the “Palestinian Arabs.”
This is, of course, unacceptable and extremely serious. We must not even begin discussions with the Arabs about concessions, let alone sign or take any actions toward them. As the Rebbe, the King Moshiach, teaches, even discussing such matters with them poses a danger and a threat to our lives!
Let us recall that the cursed Oslo Accords, which led to horrific consequences, G-d forbid, began merely with "talks“ — at the Madrid Conference, which laid the groundwork for these agreements and legitimized the terrorist PLO.
Israel agreed merely to “talk” with them, but ultimately, this led to further negotiations, secret meetings, and, in the end, Rabin’s signing of the terrible Oslo Accords. These brought upon us the Second Intifada, followed by the “disengagement,” and ultimately, the horrific massacre on Simchat Torah.
Therefore, the mere discussion of “concessions” now demanded by Saudi Arabia is absurd and must be rejected outright!
May it be the will of the Almighty that this entire matter fades into oblivion, leaving no trace.
Peace with Saudi Arabia is possible under the following conditions:
1. No concessions regarding the so-called “Palestinian Arabs” (unless, of course, the Saudis agree to take them all in).
2. No permission for Saudi Arabia to develop its own nuclear capabilities.
3. Strict limitations on American-made weaponry to prevent Saudi Arabia from entering an arms race with Israel, one in which Israel would not be able to compete.
Expanding on the third point — arms sales of advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia:
At present, Israel possesses stealth aircraft, which Saudi Arabia does not have. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of a peace treaty between the two nations.
If Saudi Arabia signs such an agreement, it will be able — just as Egypt did — to acquire numerous advanced weapons. This could include purchasing hundreds of stealth aircraft (at least 150–200), giving it a massive advantage over Israel. Currently, Israel is finalizing a deal for 50 such aircraft and has signed a contract for only 25 more.
This advantage would endanger the regional balance of power, which currently favours Israel.
Security cannot be compromised!
The book “They Speak of Peace, but There Is No Peace” (p. 69) recounts a meeting between the Rebbe and journalist Gershon Jacobson. The Rebbe urgently summoned him and said: “Immediately go to Washington to meet with the Israeli representative... and tell him in my name that the U.S. is preparing to sign contracts for the sale of weapons to Arab states worth billions of dollars... Israel must immediately take active steps to prevent this threat at its inception!”
Jacobson recalled that he went to Washington, where officials tried to hide the existence of these deals, claiming that the U.S. was not initiating arms sales to the Arabs.
When he returned to the Rebbe for a follow-up meeting, the Rebbe was deeply distressed and told him words that shook him: “You know how much I fight for the correction of certain laws in various areas of Israel... and how strongly I assert that their neglect poses a threat to the lives of 14 million Jews worldwide [apparently referring, among other things, to the Rebbe’s great struggle to amend the ’Who is a Jew’ law]. But believe me, all of this is insignificant compared to the danger I see in the initiative to supply American weapons to the Arabs — an initiative that is now beginning to materialize in Washington.”
Jacobson attempted to relay what he had been told in Washington — that no such arms sale initiative existed at the moment. The Rebbe then firmly told him: “Go back to Washington immediately and tell them... the documents for these agreements already exist! I repeat again and again: if Israel acts in time, it can prevent this threat at its inception. But if it delays now, this could, G-d forbid, lead to weeping for many generations.”
After his second meeting with the Rebbe, Jacobson returned to Washington and conveyed the Rebbe’s words. Upon thorough investigation, Israeli representatives confirmed that “secret agreements” indeed existed for large-scale American arms sales to several Arab states! [Likely referring at the time to Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.]
Israeli representatives took this new information to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, but according to Jacobson, they were told “not to make a fuss” so as “not to cause friction with the U.S.”
Thus, in the Rebbe’s view, the sale of American weapons to the Arabs — especially in large quantities — poses a threat to Israel, G-d forbid.
As stated above, any agreement signed with Saudi Arabia could lead to an influx of advanced weaponry into its arsenal, in quantities far exceeding Israel’s procurement capabilities. This could destroy our qualitative military edge over all Arab states.