Van Hollen: Trump hit Saudi Arabia with ‘bait and switch’ by tying Israel relations to nuclear deal

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday said President Trump hit Saudi Arabia with a “bait and switch” by changing the terms of a nuclear deal to tie it to building Saudi relations with Israel.

“As you well know, the Saudis have been very clear that they will normalize relations with Israel when we’re on a clear path toward developing a Palestinian state, living side-by-side –– security for both Palestinians and Israelis,” Van Hollen told “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” host Martha Raddatz on ABC News. That has been the Saudi position. And so, what the Trump administration did was a bait and switch scheme.”

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday struck a nuclear cooperation deal that would allow the Saudis to enrich uranium, opening the door for a Gulf power to build a nuclear weapon. The Saudi government, however, is a rival to U.S. ally Israel and has long been accused of having involvement in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Less than 24 hours later, Trump made it a........

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