Saudi Arabia has clarified its stance on normalizing relations with Israel, stating that it will only do so if a independent Palestinian state is established. The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reaffirmed the kingdom’s position on the matter, leaving no room for interpretation. The ministry also emphasized that it rejects any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
This statement contradicts Trump’s previous claim that Saudi Arabia does not demand a Palestinian state, as he suggested the US would take over the Gaza Strip and build a “Riviera of the Middle East” there, with all previous residents relocated to other countries in the region. Trump made this proposal during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the idea as “unconventional” and fresh.
The US had been engaging in diplomatic efforts for months to persuade Saudi Arabia, a powerful and influential Arab state, to normalize its relations with Israel and recognize the country. However, the Gaza war, which began in October, prompted Riyadh to put the matter on hold in the face of Arab outrage over Israel’s offensive.
Trump wants Saudi Arabia to follow in the footsteps of countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which signed the Abraham Accord in 2020 and normalized their relations with Israel.