Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized that his country will not establish relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In his speech at the opening of the new session of the Saudi Shura Council, Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed his country’s efforts to enhance security and peace by seeking political solutions to crises in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and other areas, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
This was stated during the inauguration of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council by the Saudi Crown Prince, on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. He highlighted economic achievements and gains, mentioning that Saudi Arabia, due to its accomplishments and vision, “enjoys global trust that has made it a top destination for global centers and major companies,” including the opening of the International Monetary Fund’s regional center and various international activity centers in Riyadh related to sports, investment, and culture, serving as a gateway for civilizational communication.
Historically, Saudi Arabia proposed the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, which offered normalized relations with Israel under the condition of a viable solution to the Palestinian issue, including a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories. Despite evolving regional contexts and shifting alliances, notably after the Abraham Accords of 2020, Saudi Arabia has maintained its position that substantial progress on the Palestinian front is essential for full diplomatic relations with Israel.