Phyllis Leibowitz

A lot has been said for a very long time about “normalizing” relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. So it’s important to remember one thing: Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Wahhabism. Wahhabism is the dominant Islam element in both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. And Wahhabism is the most intolerant and aggressive form of Islam. We should never forget that Saudi Arabia were one of the main participants and antagonists in the 1948 genocidal war waged by the Arabs against Israel. And Saudi Arabia was one of the main participants and antagonists in the 1973 genocidal war waged by the Arabs against Israel. They have consistently attempted to thwart and thwarted every effort for peace between Israel and any Arab people. And they continue to do so. So please let’s not look at Saudi as some game changer for peace. They have had every opportunity to make peace. They don’t want it. Until they do, they’re no different to Qatar, Iran or anyone else.