Pompeo: Many in Saudi Arabia want to normalize relations with Israel

Under the Abraham Accords brokered by Trump last year, four Arab states - the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan - have agreed to establish relations with Israel.

"Predicting the future has proven a struggle for me," Pompeo said, according to AFP. Pompeo added that he believes "many more" countries will seek out normalization with Israel in the future.

"I hope that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can find its way to join the Abraham Accords," Pompeo continued. "I know that many inside that country want that to take place.

"There has been wide speculation and expectations among some of Israel’s highest echelons that there will be normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia within the near future. There has also been speculation that Saudi Arabia has been pressuring countries to recognize Israel in unison with Washington, before doing so themselves.

In November, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Pompeo in Neom, Saudi Arabia, according to Israeli sources.

The meeting took place in Neom, a new city in northern Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea meant to show off the kingdom’s technological advancement.