Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, directly contradicting President Donald Trump’s claim that Riyadh had dropped its demand for Palestinian statehood.
Trump, in a stunning announcement on Tuesday, declared that the United States would take control of Gaza after Palestinians were resettled elsewhere, aiming to develop the enclave economically. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry responded firmly on Wednesday, rejecting any attempts to displace Palestinians and stating that the kingdom’s stance on the issue is non-negotiable.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed Saudi Arabia’s position “in a clear and explicit manner that allows for no misinterpretation under any circumstances,” the statement emphasized.
A Sensitive Issue in the Arab World
The prospect of Palestinian displacement remains a deeply sensitive issue across the region. As the war in Gaza continues, many Palestinians fear another “Nakba”—the catastrophe of 1948, when hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes during the establishment of Israel.
High Stakes for Trump and Israel
Trump has been pushing for Saudi Arabia to follow the path of the UAE and Bahrain, which normalized relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, breaking a long-standing regional taboo. However, the ongoing Gaza war, which erupted in October 2023, has led Riyadh to put normalization efforts on hold, amid widespread Arab anger over Israel’s military offensive.
Securing diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia would be a major win for Israel, given the kingdom’s vast influence across the Middle East and the broader Muslim world, as well as its status as the world’s largest oil exporter.
