Saudi Arabia Is Moving toward Peace with Israel, but Taking Its Time

President Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia last month revived speculation about the possibility of normalization between the two countries, and in fact coincided with important steps in that direction: the opening of Saudi airspace to Israeli planes, the arrival of Israeli journalists in Jeddah directly from Tel Aviv, and the de-facto cooperation over the status of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir. Yet, for those expecting a major announcement about Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, the result was disappointment. Outlining several factors restraining the kingdom from establishing full diplomatic ties with Israel, Yoel Guzansky suggests what is happening amounts to a “creeping normalization.”