Netanyahu Suggests Palestinians Establish State in Saudi Arabia, Sparking Backlash

TDT | Manama

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has controversially suggested that Palestinians should establish their state in Saudi Arabia rather than in their own homeland, dismissing any notion of Palestinian sovereignty.

"The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there," Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 on Thursday, disregarding long-standing Palestinian demands for self-determination.

When asked whether the creation of a Palestinian state was necessary for normalization with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu outright rejected the idea, calling it a “security threat to Israel.”

"Especially not a Palestinian state. After Oct. 7? Do you know what that is? There was a Palestinian state, it was called Gaza. Gaza, led by Hamas, was a Palestinian state, and look what we got," he argued, ruling out any possibility of Palestinian statehood.

Despite his stance, Netanyahu expressed confidence that Israel and Saudi Arabia would soon reach a normalization agreement.

"I think peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only feasible, I think it's going to happen," he said.

However, the Saudi Foreign Ministry swiftly dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks, reiterating that normalization with Israel remains off the table unless a Palestinian state is established. Saudi officials have consistently maintained that a two-state solution is a prerequisite for diplomatic ties.

The interview took place during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., where he appeared alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump at a joint press conference.

During the event, Trump proposed a controversial redevelopment plan for Gaza, suggesting that the U.S. could “take over” the enclave and resettle Palestinians elsewhere, claiming it could be transformed into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” He later clarified that no U.S. soldiers would be involved in the initiative.

The proposal has drawn widespread condemnation from world leaders. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli suggestion of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory as “irresponsible” and a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty.” The ministry emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s security remains a “red line” for Egypt.

The remarks by Netanyahu and Trump come amid heightened tensions in the region following the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with international calls growing for a resolution that respects Palestinian rights and sovereignty.