20 senators are warning President Biden against a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia.
The US is considering a defense pact to entice Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel.
The New York Times reported last month that the Biden administration is considering a security agreement with Saudi Arabia "resembling those with Japan or South Korea."
While saying they share the White House's goal of restoring ties between its two Middle Eastern allies, the senators argue that a defense pact with Saudi Arabia would upend decades of US policy.
The effort to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia was kickstarted during the Trump administration, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordering the killing of an American citizen, Jamal Khashoggi, according to a US intelligence assessment.
Persons:
Biden, —, Washington's, Chris Murphy of, John Fetterman of, Dick Durbin, Trump, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Axios, Jared Kushner
Organizations:
Service, The New York Times, Illinois
Locations:
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Riyadh, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Saudi, American