Israeli Minister Opposes US-Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal Without Israel-Saudi Normalization

Israeli Cabinet member Avi Dichter publicly opposed the potential US assistance to Saudi Arabia in establishing a civilian nuclear program, stating that Israel does not want to see such a development. However, Dichter acknowledged Israel's limited ability to prevent the move, saying, "It seems we cannot stop it." His remarks follow US President Donald Trump's announcement that the US-Saudi nuclear agreement is contingent on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel.

Trump clarified on his social media platform Truth Social that the initial US-Saudi civilian nuclear deal does not include uranium enrichment capabilities and is strictly for peaceful, civilian use. He emphasized that final approval of the agreement depends entirely on Saudi Arabia's formal normalization with Israel. Trump also stated that the US supports the establishment of civilian nuclear energy facilities in Saudi Arabia only if they operate without uranium enrichment and are not intended for military purposes.

In response to these conditions, Dichter expressed principled opposition to even the possibility of Saudi Arabia developing a civilian nuclear program. Nevertheless, he did not propose any means by which Israel could block the agreement being advanced between Washington and Riyadh.