Saudi Arabia pulled no punches when it condemned President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. But Palestinian officials say Riyadh has also been working for weeks behind the scenes to press them to support a nascent U.S. peace plan.
Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy on Wednesday with his announcement and instructions to begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, despite warnings that it will drive the wedge between Israel and the Palestinians even deeper.
The Saudi royal court described the decision as "unjustified and irresponsible" and "a big step back in efforts to advance the peace process."