Description:
In a recent in-depth interview, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert explained that his country has had direct, high-level relations with Saudi Arabia for the past “15 years”, and that he hoped this could be officially announced soon.
Source: RT Arabic (YouTube)
Date: May 3, 2021
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Transcript:
Reporter:
Were the Saudis ever close to normalization?
Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert:
The Saudis? I’m almost sure that it’s in their interest, or that they are interested in peace with Israel. The Saudis are not enemies, they are good people and we want peace with them. They may want to go a step further – and so would we – with regards to opening up to the Palestinians’ needs so that Muslims around the world and in the region would be more at ease with their relations with Israel. I think this is something that we can and must achieve.
Reporter:
Do you believe that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman holds a different opinion with regards to having relations?
Olmert:
I’m not privy to intelligence reports being circulated among our country’s leaders, because I no longer hold public office, but my judgment is that Mohammad bin Salman is pretty much interested in changing the status of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. I don’t know what the attitude of the rest of the Saudis is, but I can tell you that there has been communication between the Saudis and Israel that dates back 15 years, and all throughout this period. They are not enemies.
Reporter:
Since your time (as PM) there were talks? That’s almost your time right, 15 years ago?
Olmert:
I know for a fact that that there has been communication at a high level between Israel and the Saudis for a long time, and this is good, and I hope that the day will come when we will make this official and public.
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Why not translated the whole part?