A recent poll conducted by The Washington Institute reveals the views of Saudi citizens on the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel. The poll, which involved face-to-face interviews with 1,000 Saudis in August 2023, shows that a significant minority of Saudis are open to business ties with Israel even without a formal agreement, while other unilateral overtures receive little popular support. The poll also indicates that the Saudi public prioritizes Islamic issues over national interests when considering official relations with Israel.
Business Ties with Israel: A Third Say Yes
According to the poll, around a third of Saudis (31%) approve of cooperating with Israeli technology companies on areas such as climate change, cybersecurity, and water resource management. This proportion is slightly higher among Saudi adults under 30 (33%) than among their elders (28%). However, this level of acceptance has declined from previous surveys over the past three years, where it approached 40%. This may be influenced by the hard-right tilt of the current Israeli government, which has been criticized by many Arab and Muslim countries for its policies toward the Palestinians.
Other Unilateral Overtures: Very Low Support
In contrast to business ties, other gestures toward Israel in advance of a formal accord receive very low support from the Saudi public. Only 14% agree to give Israeli civilian airplanes permission to fly over Saudi Arabia, and just 13% would allow Israeli sports teams to participate in events in Saudi Arabia. A mere 7% would invite Israel’s prime minister to attend an international conference in Saudi Arabia. These results suggest that the Saudi public is not ready to embrace Israel as a normal partner in the region without a comprehensive peace deal.
Official Relations with Israel: Muslim Rights Come First
When asked about possible factors “in considering whether or not Saudi Arabia should establish official relations with Israel,” the poll reveals that the Saudi public places more emphasis on Islamic issues than on national interests. Almost half of the respondents (46%) say it is important to obtain new Israeli guarantees of Muslim rights at al-Aqsa Mosque and al-Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem. This issue ranks higher than any other option offered, including new steps toward political rights and economic opportunities for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza (36%), new security guarantees for Saudi Arabia from Israel and the United States (29%), or new economic benefits for Saudi Arabia from trade and investment with Israel (27%).
The religious focus aligns with other responses in the poll, which show the significance of faith in Saudi society. For example, exactly the same percentage (46%) feel strongly that “our country should cut off all relations with any other country where anybody hurts the Quran.” Moreover, only a tiny minority (4%) either did not know or declined to answer, potentially indicating agreement with the explicitly stated position that “Saudi Arabia should not establish official relations with Israel under any conditions.”
Implications for Future Normalization
The poll results provide valuable insights into the multifaceted attitudes of the Saudi population toward Israel and its implications for potential future relations. On one hand, they show that there is a sizable segment of Saudis who are willing to engage with Israel on business and technology issues, even without a formal agreement. This may reflect the recognition of Israel’s innovation and expertise in these fields, as well as the desire to diversify and modernize the Saudi economy.
On the other hand, they show that there is a strong resistance to any overt normalization with Israel without addressing the religious and political concerns of the Muslim world, especially regarding Jerusalem and the Palestinians. This may reflect the sense of identity and solidarity that many Saudis feel with their fellow Muslims, as well as the influence of religious authorities and conservative groups in Saudi society.
These findings suggest that any future normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel will have to balance these competing interests and expectations. While some forms of cooperation may be possible in the short term, a full normalization will likely require a comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that respects the rights and aspirations of both sides, as well as guarantees the protection and access of Muslims to their holy sites in Jerusalem.
