Saudi denies Trump’s claim, says no ties with Israel without Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia today reaffirmed its stance that it will not normalise relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, rejecting a claim by US President Donald Trump that Riyadh had dropped the demand.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasising that the kingdom’s position remains “firm and unwavering” following Trump’s remarks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House yesterday.

Asked if the Saudis demand the establishment of a Palestinian state, Trump, sitting alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office, replied: “No, they’re not.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasises that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises. Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current US administrations,” it said.

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