No ties with Israel unless independent Palestinian state is established: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Saudi Arabia had not set such a condition.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had made the Kingdom’s stance “clear and explicit”, leaving no room for interpretation. The ministry added that Saudi Arabia opposes any attempt to displace Palestinians from their land and considers its position on the issue non-negotiable.

"His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024. His Royal Highness emphasised that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said.

The ministry further highlighted that the Crown Prince reiterated this position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh in November 2024. "His Royal Highness also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2024. He stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

His Royal Highness also urged more peace-loving countries to recognise the State of Palestine, and emphasised the importance of mobilising the international community to support the Palestinian people's rights, as expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognising Palestine's eligibility for full UN membership," the official statement said.

Trump had previously stated that Saudi Arabia had not insisted on the creation of a Palestinian state during his Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.