Palestinians Demand Unshakeable Commitments in Israel-Saudi Agreement

The Palestinian Authority is seeking "irreversible" steps to advance its bid for statehood as part of negotiations for a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Proposed measures include US recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN, reopening the US consulate in Jerusalem, scrapping legislation characterizing the PA as a terror organization, transferring West Bank territory to Palestinian control, and demolishing illegal outposts. However, the Biden administration has pushed back on these proposals, suggesting that the PA direct its requests towards Israel instead. The PA is also seeking to separate its bilateral ties with countries like Saudi Arabia from the normalization process, aiming to bolster both. Saudi Arabia has offered to renew aid to the PA and appointed an ambassador to Palestine and Jerusalem consul general, but these moves were not coordinated with the US.