Can Pakistan Stop Saudis From Accepting Israel?

Saudi Arabia is currently facing a challenging situation due to Houthi missile and drone attacks that have targeted critical infrastructure. Despite this, reports suggest that Israel has extended a helping hand to Riyadh, with the United States occupied with mid-term elections. The "Makkah Pact," a symbolic agreement among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, is largely dependent on the willingness of Pakistan and Turkey to assist their friend.

A senior foreign policy expert believes that Saudi Arabia may accept the Abraham Accords, including the normalization of relations with Israel, as long as the public remains distracted. This underscores the fact that even a nation with immense resources and advanced military capabilities cannot completely eliminate threats through military spending alone.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) faces a more significant challenge than just intercepting missiles; his teams are actively involved in both Saudi Arabia and Israel. MBS seeks to protect Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, maintain investor confidence, and prevent a regional war from harming the country's economic goals. However, these aspirations are sometimes perceived as self-serving due to MBS's involvement in sensitive matters.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Turkey, signed in August 2026, adds another layer of support for Riyadh. While Turkey has provided defensive and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia, the pact's practical obligations remain unclear. Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia, must carefully consider its involvement in potential conflicts, as it has its own economic pressures, security concerns, and political dynamics.

The pact's practicality is limited, and Pakistan cannot afford to enter a war without a clear definition of its national interests. The issue of Gulf monarchies goes beyond military alliances. It raises the question of how long these nations can rely on wealth, security partnerships, and centralized power without addressing demands for political participation and accountability.

While Saudi Arabia and its neighbors have achieved significant economic and societal transformations, sustainable stability requires more than economic development. Citizens need a meaningful voice in governance and the allocation of national wealth. It would be premature to say that MBS is finished or to predict the collapse of Saudi Arabia's ruling system.

However, the current crisis highlights the potential for both Saudi Arabia and its allies to change sides. Pakistan should uphold its commitments without compromising its strategic independence. Saudi Arabia requires a security strategy that encompasses defense, diplomacy, and domestic reforms. Despite the numerous challenges, Pakistan cannot prevent Saudi Arabia from accepting Israel.

Turkey recognized Israel in 1949, and no major changes should be expected from it in the near future. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.