Bloomberg — The White House is considering signing formal defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of its plan to get its two closest Middle East allies to formally recognize each other, according to several people familiar with the matter.

President Joe Biden’s administration believes that one way to achieve Israeli-Saudi normalization is to offer both security pacts broad enough to require congressional approval, according to these people, who know the respective positions of the three countries.

Although much remains to be negotiated and talks could fail, officials have made significant progress, these people said.

The deal would mean an important diplomatic victory for Biden ahead of next year’s election. For Israel, this will open the door to more business with the largest economy in the Middle East and help counter Iranian aggression. It could also encourage other Muslim-majority countries in the region and Asia to maintain friendly relations with Israel, given the kingdom’s status as custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina.

Additionally, the agreement could ease tensions in the region and help secure important oil and gas transportation routes.

Meet in New York

Biden discussed the issue with Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday. Israel’s prime minister said he hoped to bring about a “historic peace” between his country and Saudi Arabia. In an interview broadcast hours later, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Fox News that a deal was getting closer “every day.”

US and Israeli officials have talked about treating the two defense deals as part of the same package to improve the chances of Congress approving them, some of them said. While many senators are wary of any agreement that forces the US to defend Saudi Arabia, they would be more reluctant to reject a broader agreement if such action would harm Israel, the sources said.

The US is determined to encourage greater cooperation among its Middle Eastern allies, especially to counter China’s growing influence. According to the community, updating the military and security architecture in the region is now considered important. Last week, it upgraded its defense ties with Bahrain, although not to the point of having to ask for Congressional approval. According to these people, the Saudis have told the United States that they want an agreement that goes beyond the one signed with Bahrain.

“An agreement forcing the United States to help Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack would benefit the entire GCC,” said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator familiar with the talks between Washington and Riyadh. He was referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-member group made up of major energy exporters, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

Saudi proposal

Saudi Arabia has asked for firm defense guarantees from the United States, access to world-class American weapons, and assistance in developing its nuclear energy sector as conditions for normalizing relations with Israel. They also want Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians, but they are sending mixed signals about what they will ultimately accept.

The kingdom’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, told Saudi state media this week that his country would do everything possible to restore a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, we have to solve that part,” Prince Mohammed told Fox, before adding that “good negotiations” were continuing.

The United States asked Saudi Arabia to curb its ties with China in sensitive high-tech areas in exchange for strengthening its security ties. Washington could also ask the Saudis to release some political prisoners and reform laws on free speech and criminal justice, according to Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute think tank, which is in touch with Israeli, Saudi and American negotiators.

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