A Saudi-Israeli opening, if & when it comes, would indeed be historic. But I’ve heard many suggest opening to Israel would be a quick way for Saudi to solve its problems in Washington. I think that’s mistaken. It would provide a short-term boost for KSA on the Hill, but...1/

A Saudi opening to Israel wouldn’t address the underlying issues that have led both Democrats & Republicans to rethink the bilat relationship. Those issues involve grave Saudi breaches of norms, destabilizing policies, & repeated disrespect for US sovereignty & partnership. 2/

Trump didn’t care because he’s venal & entirely self-interested. But D & R officials & electeds know that they will likely have to live with this Saudi leadership for a long time, & they’re trying to assess whether that’s a relationship in which they want to invest. 3/

So far, they’re troubled by what they see. Saudi can alter that perception but the 1st step is recognizing the gravity of the problem. No doubt Saudi has grievances of its own; the only way to see those taken seriously is to have a serious conversation, not PR razzmatazz.4/

If Saudi national interest dictated an opening to Israel, that would be a fantastic advance for regional peace & stability. But it’s something they would do for their own good reasons, not a gift Saudi & Israel give to others. It would certainly be welcomed in Washington. 5/

But the warm welcome normalization would earn would not change the fundamental equation between the US & Riyadh. Any atmospheric benefit would be brief. There is no avoiding the real issues at stake. /fin