Saudi Arabia: No ties with "Israel" without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic relations with "Israel" unless a Palestinian state is created, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The announcement came in response to "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim, during his meeting with US President Donald Trump today, Wednesday, that normalization with the country “will happen.”

In its statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized the kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

It also made clear that “Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with "Israel" unless this condition is met.”

Both former US President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump have pushed for diplomatic ties between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia. However, Riyadh suspended initial talks on the matter at the start of the Gaza war and has since reinforced its stance as the conflict continues.

The Saudi statement came shortly after Netanyahu declared that peace between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia is “not only possible but, in my opinion, inevitable.”

The ministry concluded by stating that “this position is non-negotiable. A lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people securing their legitimate rights, in accordance with international resolutions. This stance has been clearly communicated to both the previous and current US administrations.”

Netanyahu’s government remains opposed to the internationally backed two-state solution.