Transcript: Brett McGurk on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 4, 2026
Summary
Brett McGurk, a former top Middle East adviser to President Joe Biden, explained that a major deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia was close to being finalized in October 2023. However, a violent attack by Hamas on October 7 disrupted the process, stopping progress on peace talks and a potential pathway for Palestinian statehood.Key Facts
- President Biden asked Brett McGurk to discuss Saudi policy changes early in his administration.
- The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia proposed recognizing Israel, which could have been a historic breakthrough.
- By October 6, 2023, a deal involving Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinians was near agreement.
- Saudi Princess Reema Bandar shook hands with McGurk to signal progress on this deal.
- The deal aimed to normalize relations and create a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
- Hours after this meeting, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel on October 7.
- This attack stopped the deal and set back peace efforts in the Middle East.
- McGurk said the attack had likely been planned for years, unrelated directly to knowledge of the peace deal.
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