Saudi Arabia says no ties with Israel without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia has firmly rejected the idea of establishing ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state, directly contradicting US President Donald Trump's claim that Riyadh was not demanding a Palestinian homeland.

In a controversial statement on Tuesday, February 4, Trump announced that the United States would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip after Palestinians were resettled elsewhere and would oversee its economic development. 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “We will rebuild Gaza and make it a thriving place once the Palestinians are relocated.”

Responding swiftly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on February 5, reaffirming its commitment to the Palestinian cause, Caliber.Az reports referring to US media.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia categorically rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement declared.

The ministry emphasized that Riyadh’s position remains unchanged, stating, “Saudi Arabia’s stance toward the Palestinian cause is firm, clear, and not subject to negotiation.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman echoed this sentiment, reportedly telling regional allies, “Our position has been articulated in a clear and explicit manner that leaves no room for misinterpretation under any circumstances.”

The question of Palestinian displacement is a deeply sensitive issue across the Arab world, stirring fears of a repeat of the Nakba — the 1948 mass dispossession of Palestinians during the creation of the state of Israel.

Trump’s push for Saudi-Israeli normalization has been a major diplomatic effort for Washington. “Saudi Arabia is the key to peace in the region,” Trump stated earlier this year, hoping Riyadh would follow the lead of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.

However, the ongoing war in Gaza, which erupted in October 2023, has hardened Saudi Arabia’s position. With mounting Arab anger over Israel’s military offensive, Riyadh has shelved normalization talks indefinitely.

Establishing formal ties with Saudi Arabia would be a landmark achievement for Israel due to the kingdom’s vast influence in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. As the world’s largest oil exporter, its decision carries immense geopolitical weight.

Despite pressure from Washington, Saudi Arabia’s message remains firm: “Without a Palestinian state, there will be no normalization.”

By Tamilla Hasanova