Herzog to Saudi Elaph: MBS Great Man!

Local Editor

"Israeli" opposition leader Isaac Herzog stressed that Riyadh should be given a "central role" in future arrangements for al-Aqsa Mosque.

"We will arrive at talks on 'Jerusalem' and the holy places like al-Aqsa," Herzog told the Saudi-owned, London-based Elaph website, referring to Islam's third holiest shrine. "I think the Saudis have a great responsibility and role for the holy places of Islam."

Herzog noted that the Saudis had "taken responsibility for Mecca and Medina," Islam's two holiest cities. "I think the Saudis have to be granted a central role in this matter," he said.

Herzog was the third "Israeli" personality to be interviewed by Elaph in recent weeks, in what appears to be a new step in normalizing ties between Riyadh and "Israel".

Herzog told Elaph that "Israeli" voters will oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next election.

Asked how he could persuade voters to support the Zionist Union, Herzog said that he needs a "genuine partner" for negotiations. "I had a number of meetings with Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] and we spoke a lot about this."

Herzog added that he disagrees with US President Donald Trump's view that there can be an immediate "peace". Instead, Herzog proposed "making progress in stages over 10 years with the building of institutions of the Palestinian state and the transfer of additional authorities to the Palestinians in further realms." This, he said, should be done in parallel with "building shared horizons between the two peoples" and ending incitement.

Herzog praised Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, terming him "one of the great revolutionaries of the Middle East.

"We must help Saudi Arabia revive the peace process with the Palestinians," Herzog said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team