WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the two-state solution for Palestine, instead suggesting the establishment of a Palestinian state within Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with Israeli media during his visit to the United States, Netanyahu argued that the creation of a Palestinian state would pose a security threat to Israel.
He proposed that Palestinians could establish their state in Saudi Arabia, citing the vast land available in the kingdom. When asked whether the creation of a Palestinian state was necessary for normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance, stating that a Palestinian state would be a risk to Israel. He also referred to Gaza, previously a Palestinian state under Hamas control, as evidence of the dangers posed by such a state, referencing the October 7th attacks.
Despite his rejection of the two-state solution, Netanyahu expressed optimism about the prospects of peace with Saudi Arabia, stating that he believes the normalization of relations between Israel and the kingdom is imminent.
Netanyahu’s comments regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia have sparked strong condemnation from Egypt, which called the proposal a violation of Saudi sovereignty. Egypt emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is a “red line.”
Prior to this, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated that the normalization of relations with Israel would not be possible without the creation of a Palestinian state. The kingdom’s position on this issue remains firm and unwavering.
Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently made controversial remarks about Gaza, declaring that the United States would take control of the Gaza Strip. Trump stated that the U.S. would make Gaza its own, aiming to bring stability to the region and create thousands of jobs. His statement was met with widespread opposition from the United Nations and many countries that advocate for a two-state solution.
In response to Trump’s remarks, former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal sent a letter to the U.S. president, rejecting the idea of deporting Palestinians from Gaza. He reminded Trump that the Palestinian people are not illegal immigrants and should be allowed to return to their ancestral lands in areas like Jaffa and Haifa, which were forcibly taken from them by Israel.
Read More: Global Reactions to Trump’s Proposal for Gaza After Ceasefire
Prince Turki also pointed out that many Palestinians in Gaza are refugees who were displaced after the 1948 and 1967 wars, and that some of the land and homes now occupied by Jewish settlers were originally Palestinian property. He called on Trump to respect United Nations resolutions and grant Palestinians their right to self-determination and statehood in order to achieve lasting peace in the region.
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