As war rages in Gaza, Trump acknowledges timing isn’t right, but says normalization remains a “dream” worth waiting for
US President Donald Trump stood before a crowd of Saudi officials and global investors in Riyadh on Tuesday and said what many in the room were already thinking: now is not the time.
He still called it a “dream” — that one day Saudi Arabia will formally join the Abraham Accords and open diplomatic ties with Israel. But with the war in Gaza grinding on and no clear path toward a Palestinian state, Trump made it clear he understood Riyadh wasn’t rushing into anything.
A Deliberate Shift in Tone from Washington
For all the talk of ambition, the moment called for restraint.
Trump didn’t push. He didn’t issue deadlines or ultimatums. Instead, he acknowledged the elephant in the room — the conflict in Gaza and the political climate in Israel that’s made normalization virtually impossible for now.
“My fervent hope, wish and even my dream is that Saudi Arabia will soon be joining the Abraham Accords,” Trump told the audience during a foreign policy speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum. Then, pausing briefly, he added, “But you’ll do it in your own time.”
The comment landed softly. Carefully. Almost like a sigh of relief.
Saudi leaders have grown increasingly cautious, wary of appearing to side with an Israeli government seen as unwilling to offer even symbolic gestures toward Palestinian statehood. Public anger across the Arab world over civilian deaths in Gaza remains potent. And Riyadh, as the de facto leader of the Islamic world, can’t afford to ignore that.
Gaza War Looms Over the Summit
Trump’s speech only mentioned Israel once — and even then, not by name at first. He focused instead on efforts to end the war in Gaza “as quickly as possible” and to bring hostages home.
He didn’t elaborate. And notably, there were no flashy promises or Middle East peace plans. No unveiling of grand frameworks. Just a nod to the current reality.
The war has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Israel maintains that it’s targeting Hamas militants, but the collateral damage has made it politically toxic for many Arab governments to move closer to Israel. Especially Saudi Arabia.
One Saudi official in attendance, speaking anonymously to avoid diplomatic fallout, said Trump’s tone was “measured” and “more sensitive than expected.” That sentiment was echoed by two European envoys, both present at the event.
Past Plans, Present Pauses
It wasn’t always this way. Just a year ago, the Biden administration was working to package a sweeping deal with Saudi Arabia that would’ve included normalization with Israel, along with major security guarantees from the US.
Here’s what was on the table during Biden’s time:
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A mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, requiring two-thirds Senate approval
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American help in building a civilian nuclear program
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An Israel-Saudi normalization agreement folded into the broader deal
The hope was that the inclusion of Israel would soften political resistance in Washington. But the October 2024 war in Gaza changed everything. That “mega-deal” stalled. And now, under Trump’s return to the White House, the effort looks more fragmented — and more patient.
Why Saudi Arabia Still Matters
Saudi Arabia is not just another Gulf state. It’s the largest Arab economy, home to Islam’s holiest sites, and a regional powerbroker. Any decision it makes on Israel would ripple far beyond its borders.
That’s why American presidents — from Trump to Biden, and now Trump again — see Saudi-Israel normalization as the crown jewel of the Abraham Accords.
So far, the accords have brought Israel into official ties with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. But none of those carried the weight that Riyadh would. Saudi participation could unlock broader normalization across the Islamic world — if and when the time is right.
Here’s a brief comparison:
| Country | Year Joined Accords | Current Ties With Israel |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 2020 | Full diplomatic relations |
| Bahrain | 2020 | Full diplomatic relations |
| Morocco | 2020 | Diplomatic recognition |
| Sudan | 2021 (formalized later) | Limited engagement |
| Saudi Arabia | Not yet | Quiet intelligence ties, no formal recognition |
Cautious Optimism or Stalemate?
Some analysts say Trump’s “your own time” remark signals a long delay. Others see it as pragmatic.
“The Saudis don’t want to burn bridges with the US, but they won’t move an inch without something tangible for the Palestinians,” said Aaron David Miller, a former US State Department peace negotiator. “Trump gets that. And now he’s walking a tightrope.”
Even within Saudi Arabia, opinions are split. Younger citizens, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah, are more open to ties with Israel. But religious and conservative voices remain deeply skeptical — especially during a war.
One paragraph, one sentence: No one wants to look like they’re legitimizing bombings.
There’s also the Netanyahu factor. The current Israeli prime minister has shown little interest in rebooting a peace process or compromising with the Palestinian Authority. Riyadh has said time and again that a pathway to statehood must be part of any deal.
Until that shifts, it’s hard to see a signature ceremony in sight.
Trump’s Balancing Act in the Middle East
Still, Trump clearly hasn’t abandoned the Abraham Accords. They’re part of his legacy, after all. But his return to the region felt less like a victory lap and more like a listening tour.
He spoke about business, investment, and stability. He shook hands, posed for photos, and avoided wading too deep into Middle East politics. Aides traveling with him say that’s by design.
One sentence here: Too much pressure could backfire.
His decision to mention Israel only once was noticed — and possibly intentional. With the region on edge, sometimes saying less says more.
For now, Saudi Arabia remains on the sidelines of the Abraham Accords. But the door’s still open. Trump knows it. And so do the Saudis. The question is whether either side is ready to walk through it — or just wait and watch a little longer.
