Saudi Arabia Clarifies: No Normalization With Israel Without a Palestinian State

On Tuesday night, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that it will not move toward normalization with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established.

This statement followed President Donald Trump’s response of “no” when asked by Arutz Sheva whether Saudi Arabia expects a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization with Israel.

In a statement released by the Saudi Gazette, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “the Kingdom’s commitment to Palestinian statehood is deeply rooted and unshakable.”

The statement went on to explain that “This firm stance was explicitly affirmed by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during his address at the opening of the first year of the ninth session of the Shoura Council on September 18, 2024. In his speech, the Crown Prince made it clear that Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is established, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

The Foreign Ministry further noted that the Crown Prince had reiterated this position at the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2024.

“During the summit, he emphasized the urgent need to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, end Israeli occupation, and mobilize the international community in support of Palestinian rights. He also called on more nations to recognize Palestine and underscored the significance of securing full United Nations membership for the Palestinian state, as reflected in UN General Assembly resolutions,” the statement read.

The Ministry also stressed that “Saudi Arabia’s position on the Palestinian cause has been consistently communicated to both the previous and current US administrations. The Kingdom maintains that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without ensuring that the Palestinian people receive their full legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions.”

“Saudi Arabia remains resolute in its efforts to support the Palestinian cause, working tirelessly to secure a comprehensive and just resolution that upholds Palestinian sovereignty and ensures lasting peace in the region,” it continued.

Saudi Arabia has taken a more critical stance toward Israel in recent months, especially after the relations between the two countries seemed to be moving toward normalization before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Following the massacre, Saudi Arabia froze the US-backed normalization efforts.

{Matzav.com}