Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed that Palestinians establish their state in Saudi Arabia, rather than in their own territory, dismissing Palestinian sovereignty and their long-standing demands for self-determination.
During an interview on Israeli Channel 14, Netanyahu said, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there,” rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state in the region. When asked if a Palestinian state was necessary for normalization with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu dismissed the notion, framing it as 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,” Netanyahu claimed, reiterating his opposition to Palestinian statehood.
On the topic of potential normalization with Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu expressed optimism, saying, “I think peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only feasible, I think it’s going to happen.”
However, the Saudi Foreign Ministry rejected Netanyahu’s comments, reaffirming that normalization with Israel would only be possible if a Palestinian state is established—a stance Netanyahu continues to overlook.
The interview occurred while Netanyahu was in Washington, D.C., where he appeared alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at a joint press conference. During this event, Trump reiterated his proposal to “take over” Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere, claiming it could transform Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” a plan widely condemned by global leaders.
