Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s push for ties without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it would not formalise ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state was established, after the Israeli prime minister remarked that he thought normalisation with the Gulf kingdom was “going to happen”.

“Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

Both US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden have backed Israel and Saudi Arabia having diplomatic relations. Riyadh paused tentative talks on the matter early in the Gaza conflict and hardened its rhetoric as the war continued.

In a shock announcement on Tuesday, Trump said the US would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip after Palestinians were resettled elsewhere and develop it economically. He was speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Trump calls for US to take over Gaza, permanently resettle all Palestinians

Trump calls for US to take over Gaza, permanently resettle all Palestinians

Wednesday’s statement from the Saudi foreign ministry said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had affirmed the kingdom’s position in “a clear and explicit manner” that does not allow for any interpretation under any circumstances.