Optimism about new Saudi leader
THE ISRAELI security establishment is optimistic over the direction being taken by the Saudi Royal House following the news that 31-year-old Mohammad bin Salman al Saud was elevated to the position of Crown Prince on Wednesday.
Over the last two years, Israeli intelligence has focused on assessing the young prince’s intentions and believe he is serious about modernising the kingdom and reducing its reliance on oil.
As far as it is possible to gauge public opinion, it seems that the Saudi population are with him, despite the fact that they realise they will also have to pay a price in reduced subsidies.
The assessment is that the pro-American Bin Salman is also open to a tacit alliance with Israel, especially when it comes to confronting Iran and Isis, but he will not favour open relations with the Jewish state as long as there is no progress on the Palestinian issue.