Saudi Arabia reasserted its commitment to Palestinian statehood as a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel, responding to President Trump’s controversial remarks advocating for the U.S. to take control of Gaza after displacing its residents. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the importance of establishing a Palestinian nation with East Jerusalem as its capital, calling for international recognition and support for Palestinian rights.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its longstanding position regarding the Palestinian statehood, emphasizing that a viable and independent Palestinian nation is essential for any normalization of relations with Israel. This statement came as a response to President Donald Trump’s controversial comments suggesting the U.S. should take ownership of the Gaza Strip following the displacement of Palestinians. The Kingdom reiterated that the establishment of a Palestinian state is intrinsic to achieving a lasting peace in the region.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman articulated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights during a speech at the Shoura Council on September 18, 2024, highlighting that East Jerusalem must serve as the capital of the future Palestinian state. He reiterated similar views during an Arab-Islamic summit, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and urging international recognition of Palestine.
Trump’s remarks indicated a preference for relocating displaced Gazans, suggesting Egypt and Jordan could accommodate them, a proposal that both countries have explicitly rejected. Trump’s comments followed a destructive period in Gaza, raising significant concerns about humanitarian conditions. Additionally, he mentioned potential U.S. military involvement in rebuilding Gaza, envisioning it as a prosperous region akin to the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry responded robustly, stating it is the international community’s responsibility to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians while emphasizing their right to remain in their homeland. The ministry insisted that lasting peace requires recognition of Palestinian rights in accordance with international resolutions.
The article centers on Saudi Arabia’s firm stance regarding the necessity for a Palestinian state as a precondition for normalization of its relations with Israel. This is situated within the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has seen ongoing disputes and calls for a two-state solution. President Trump’s recent comments about involving the U.S. in Gaza’s future further complicate the geopolitical landscape, sparking responses from key players in the Arab world, including Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed that peace in the Middle East is contingent upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The nation’s leaders have consistently maintained that normalization with Israel cannot occur without addressing Palestinian rights and statehood. President Trump’s controversial proposal to displace Gazans underscores the complexities surrounding the issue, highlighting the urgency for international cooperation to support Palestinian sovereignty and rights.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
