The Saudi Foreign Ministry has made it clear to the U.S. administration that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until there is recognition of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The statement from the ministry emphasized that diplomatic relations with Israel would remain unestablished unless there is acknowledgment of the Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and an end to aggression in Gaza.
The ministry’s statement also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, stressing the importance of the Palestinian people achieving their legitimate rights. It further highlighted the demand for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
This response from the Saudi Foreign Ministry appears to be a reaction to comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.
Blinken noted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed interest in establishing relations with Israel but emphasized the need to end the Gaza conflict and pave the way for a Palestinian state.
Earlier on Tuesday, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, informed journalists that the Biden administration had received a positive response indicating Saudi Arabia and Israel’s willingness to continue discussions on normalizing relations between the two nations.
The Kingdom’s stance underscores the complexities surrounding the normalization of relations in the Middle East, highlighting the pivotal role of the Palestinian statehood issue in diplomatic advancements in the region.
