No relations with Israel before recognition of Palestinian state: Saudi

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel until an independent Palestinian state is recognized in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

A Saudi foreign ministry statement said its position was always “steadfast” on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the imperative for the Palestinian people to secure their legitimate rights.

Saudi Arabia has conveyed its position to the United States as a Washington-backed Middle East peace plan that seeks normalization of ties between Israel and Gulf nations has been relegated to cold storage after the war between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israeli forces erupted in October last year.

While the Saudi foreign ministry statement did not explicitly mention the meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday, it alluded to the communication of Saudi Arabia’s position to the US administration.

The statement further called on the UN Security Council to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state “so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all.”

The Saudi statement came hours after White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby claimed that the US administration had received “positive feedback” that Saudi Arabia and Israel are willing to continue normalization discussions.