Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to Palestinian state, rejects Trump’s claims
This aerial view shows a billboard bearing a picture depicting US President Donald Trump shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the slogan above: "We (Israel) are ready " (for normalising relations with Saudi Arabia), displayed by the Coalition for Regional Security group on the facade of a building in Ramat Gan, on February 4, 2025 (AFP Photo)
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reaffirmed its stance that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, rejecting a claim by U.S. President Donald Trump that Riyadh had dropped the demand.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing that the kingdom’s position remains “firm and unwavering” following Trump’s remarks during a meeting Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Asked if the Saudis demand the establishment of a Palestinian state, Trump, sitting alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office, replied: “No, they’re not.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“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.”
The statement recalled that the crown prince reiterated the kingdom’s commitment during the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024, stressing the need for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises. Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations,” it said.
