Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its position on diplomatic relations with Israel during Blinken’s visit
Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA(EFE/DT) – Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its unwavering stance on diplomatic relations with Israel during the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Kingdom reiterated that the establishment of ties with Israel is contingent upon the recognition of a Palestinian state.
This assertion underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Palestinian cause and its support for a comprehensive and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite diplomatic overtures and regional shifts, Saudi Arabia has consistently emphasized the importance of addressing Palestinian grievances and achieving a two-state solution.
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The reaffirmation of this position comes amidst ongoing efforts to foster stability and peace in the Middle East region. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s principled stand on the issue and its dedication to upholding the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
As diplomatic engagements continue and regional dynamics evolve, Saudi Arabia’s stance underscores its pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Middle Eastern geopolitics and advancing efforts towards a lasting peace in the region.
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 kingdom has communicated its firm opposition to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and that the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” the foreign ministry said.
The Saudi ministry urged the international community, particularly the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, to recognize the Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This recognition, the statement emphasized, would enable the Palestinian people to realize their legitimate rights and facilitate comprehensive and just peace in the region.
The remarks by the Saudi government coincide with ongoing efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire in war-hit Gaza.
The objective is to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by the Islamist group Hamas and increase humanitarian aid to the civilian population of the besieged strip.
Secretary Blinken, on his fifth tour of the Middle East since the Gaza war began four months ago, indicated during his visit to Doha that he would discuss Hamas’ response to the proposed ceasefire framework with the Israeli government.
The rich and ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not maintain good ties with Hamas, even as Riyadh is one of the main advocates of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), chaired by Mahmoud Abbas, which it considers the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby announced on Tuesday that the Biden administration has received encouraging feedback indicating Saudi Arabia and Israel’s readiness to maintain discussions on normalization.
The Saudi foreign ministry affirmed that the Kingdom has conveyed its unwavering stance to the U.S. administration, emphasizing that diplomatic relations with Israel hinge upon the recognition of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
It reiterated its call to the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The recent Gaza war has reignited discussions about the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the stagnation of negotiations in recent years.