Despite overall negative view of Israel, AI analysis shows Saudi media's stance neutral on normalization
A recent analysis revealed that English-language Saudi Arabian media were found to exhibit a neutral stance towards Saudi normalization with Israel.
The study analyzed hundreds of opinion pieces and columns published in the Saudi English-language outlets, including Ashqar Al-Awsat, Arab News and the Saudi Gazette.
Conducted by the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Information and Consulting Center of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), the study used AI to analyze the articles.
According to the results, the majority of articles overwhelmingly portrayed Israel in a negative light.
However, when discussing the prospect of normalization with Israel, most articles that addressed the topic took a neutral stance, expressing neither support nor opposition to the possibility.
This “led researchers to conclude that this neutral approach likely reflected a directive from the Saudi leadership,” considering that Saudi media “operates under the monarchy’s authority,” The Jerusalem Post reported.
Relations between Saudi Arabia have improved in recent years, with many expecting that a normalization agreement is likely to be achieved in the near future.
In recent days, however, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon with strong terms, even describing them as “genocide.”
As recently as last month, MBS said that “the international community” must work to end “the Israeli aggression against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon.”
“The kingdom renews its call for a categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people,” he said.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
