Saudi Arabia Rejects Normalizing Ties with Israel Without Palestinian State
Saudi Arabia’s Stance Challenges U.S. and Israel's Normalization Efforts
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has firmly stated that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state, directly contradicting President Donald Trump’s recent comments. Trump had claimed that Riyadh was not demanding a Palestinian homeland, suggesting that the U.S. could take over the Gaza Strip and economically develop it once Palestinians are resettled elsewhere.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump proposed that the U.S. would assume control of the Gaza enclave after the relocation of Palestinians, a statement that has sparked strong backlash.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday, rejecting any attempts to displace the Palestinian population, reaffirming that its position towards the Palestinians remains non-negotiable. The kingdom also emphasized that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had articulated the country’s stance in a “clear and explicit manner” that leaves no room for misinterpretation.
The issue of Palestinian displacement is highly sensitive among Palestinians and Arab nations, many of whom view it as a new catastrophe reminiscent of the “Nakba” of 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced during the creation of the state of Israel.
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Saudi Arabia’s firm stance poses a challenge to both President Trump and Israel, who have been working to normalize relations between the U.S. ally and Israel. The U.S. had invested months in diplomacy to persuade Saudi Arabia to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, both of which signed the Abraham Accords in 2020, establishing ties with Israel.
However, the ongoing war in Gaza has put those plans on hold, as Saudi Arabia has shelved any discussion of normalizing relations due to the anger in the Arab world over Israel’s military actions. For Israel, securing ties with Saudi Arabia would be a major achievement, given the kingdom’s significant influence in the Middle East, the broader Muslim world, and as the world’s leading oil exporter.
