Day 775 - MBS meeting with Trump elevates Saudi Arabia’s ally status

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode.

During the White House visit of Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, US President Donald Trump elevates the status of Saudi Arabia in the eyes of the US, says Magid, along with several defense guarantees and sales of weapons.

Israel hoped those gestures would be conditioned upon the Saudis normalizing conditions with the Jewish state, but went along with the announcement, discusses Magid.

The recent UN Security Council vote gives the Board of Peace the mandate to redevelop Gaza over the next two years, says Magid, as well as a vague pathway toward a Palestinian state after that period.

A resolution to establish the International Stabilization Force and the agreement on the demilitarization of Gaza were included in the vote, although it will be a tougher sell to get countries to contribute armed forces, discusses Magid, who calls the vote an internationalization of the conflict and a victory for the Trump administration.

Fadwa Barghouti, the wife of prominent Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti speaks with Magid for her first Israeli media interview, as part of her push for her husband's release. Barghouti tells Magid now could be the time for his release, as it could be an opportunity to work toward peace.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

MBS tells Trump he wants to join Abraham Accords, but path to Palestinian state crucial

Trump says Saudis will get F-35s, bucking Israeli hope he’d condition sale on peace

IDF opposes Saudi F-35 deal, warns Israel’s regional air superiority could be eroded

UN Security Council endorses Trump broad Gaza peace plan, foreign stabilization force

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IMAGE: President Donald Trump meets Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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