In Davos, Israel’s president calls ties with Saudi Arabia key to ending war in Gaza

By JAMEY KEATEN and MELANIE LIDMAN
Associated Press

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Israel’s president says normalizing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a key element of ending the war with Hamas and a game-changer for the entire Middle East. Isaac Herzog said Thursday at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that the relationship is still fragile but is “an opportunity to move forward.” Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said this week in Davos that the kingdom agreed “regional peace includes peace for Israel.” He called for a Palestinian state, but Herzog says public support is low because Israelis are focused on their own safety. At the elite Swiss gathering, Iraq’s prime minister called for fighting in Gaza to end and for U.S.-led coalition forces to withdraw from his country.