Saudi Arabia Says No to Gaza Displacement, No Israel Ties Without Palestinian Sovereignty

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its unwavering stance on Palestinian statehood, stating that its long-held position advocating for an independent Palestinian state is firm and non-negotiable. The Kingdom's Foreign Ministry issued the statement on Wednesday, following comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting a complete displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Trump, speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, proposed that Palestinians be relocated to other countries where settlements would be built for them. He further indicated that the U.S. should assume control over Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel’s prolonged military offensive.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Kingdom's leadership has consistently championed Palestinian rights, calling for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the region. Saudi leaders have repeatedly stated that any normalization of relations with Israel hinges on the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministry cited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s address to the Shura Council on September 18, 2024, where he reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working tirelessly for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. A similar stance was echoed by the crown prince during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11, 2024, where he demanded an end to Israeli occupation and called for broader international recognition of Palestine.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses its previously announced categorical rejection of any violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian territories, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land,” the statement read.

Trump’s comments have sparked strong opposition from Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, both of which have categorically rejected the notion of accepting displaced Palestinians. Despite international outcry, Trump did not rule out deploying American troops to Gaza, suggesting that the enclave could be redeveloped into a tourist destination, dubbing it the potential “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Saudi Arabia firmly dismissed these proposals, stressing that the international community has a duty to alleviate Palestinian suffering without resorting to forced displacement. The Kingdom reiterated that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through adherence to international resolutions that recognize the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.

“This has been clearly communicated to both previous and current American administrations,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry asserted.

The Kingdom’s latest statement underscores its continued diplomatic efforts to garner global support for Palestinian statehood while rejecting unilateral actions that undermine Palestinian sovereignty.