Strategic Assessment

Over the last year there have been reports in the Israeli media about top level meetings between Saudi and Israeli leaders that took place in 2006. At the same time, the media also reported the efforts of Prime Minister Olmert and Shimon Peres, then the deputy prime minister, to meet with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis denied the reports about the high level meetings, and rejected attempts by the prime minister and his deputy to meet with King Abdullah. Against this backdrop, the following essay attempts to shed light on the chances for Saudi-Israeli dialogue, given the internal constraints that limit the Saudi government's freedom of movement.