A recent report published by US-based news outlet Politico claims that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is at risk of assassination due to his efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. According to the report, MBS has confided to members of the US Congress that his pursuit of a comprehensive deal involving the US and Israel, which includes the normalization of Saudi-Israeli ties, has put his life in jeopardy.

Politico’s report highlights that the Saudi crown prince, in discussions with US lawmakers, referenced the assassination of former Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, who was killed after signing a peace treaty with Israel. MBS is said to have questioned, “What did the US do to protect him?” This comparison underscores the gravity of the threats he perceives as he pushes forward with these diplomatic efforts.

The report also reveals that MBS emphasized the necessity of including a legitimate path to a Palestinian state in any potential agreement, especially in light of the heightened Arab anger towards Israel due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. These statements were shared with Politico by a former US official briefed on the discussions, as well as two other individuals familiar with the matter.

Despite the significant risks, MBS reportedly remains committed to pursuing this grand deal with the US and Israel, seeing it as vital for Saudi Arabia’s future. However, the report notes that Israel has so far been reluctant to agree to a credible path to a Palestinian state as part of the normalization process.

Earlier this year, during a period of intense Israeli military action in Gaza, Saudi Arabia reiterated its longstanding position to the US: there would be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, is recognized and Israeli “aggression” on the Gaza Strip is halted. This stance was reaffirmed by the Saudi foreign ministry in response to comments from White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby, who had indicated that both Saudi Arabia and Israel were open to continuing normalization discussions.

The Politico report underscores the delicate and dangerous path MBS is navigating as he seeks to reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.