Saudi Arabia says it won’t normalize ties with Israel without recognition of an independent Palestinian state and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The Foreign Ministry outlined its “firm position” in a statement released Wednesday, two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. 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 on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
Quick Read
- Saudi Conditions for Israel Recognition: Saudi Arabia has set clear conditions for normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel, demanding the recognition of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
- Blinken’s Diplomatic Efforts: The statement follows a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, amid U.S. efforts to broker a historic agreement involving Saudi recognition of Israel.
- Saudi Demands: The Saudi Foreign Ministry’s latest statement emphasizes the kingdom’s unwavering stance on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the cessation of Israeli actions in Gaza as prerequisites for any diplomatic relations with Israel.
- Historical Context: The demands refer to territories occupied by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war, highlighting longstanding issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Israeli Settlements and Control: The statement touches on contentious issues such as Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem, as well as Israel’s security measures in Gaza following Hamas’ takeover.
- Netanyahu’s Position: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, known for its opposition to Palestinian statehood, insists on maintaining control over Gaza for security reasons, complicating potential diplomatic advancements.
The Associated Press has the story:
Saudi Arabia: No normalization with Israel without Palestinian State recognition
Newslooks- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —
Saudi Arabia says it won’t normalize ties with Israel without recognition of an independent Palestinian state and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry outlined its “firm position” in a statement released Wednesday, two days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Biden administration has spent much of the past year pushing for a potentially historic agreement in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel in return for U.S. defense guarantees, assistance in setting up a civilian nuclear program and major progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the latest statement, Saudi Arabia appeared to sharpen its demands.
“The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. 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 on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
Israel captured east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip – territories the Palestinians want for their future state – in the 1967 Mideast war.
Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognized by most of the international community and views the entire city as its capital. It has built Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank that are now home to over 500,000 Israelis. It withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but along with Egypt imposed a blockade on the territory when Hamas seized power there two years later.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a government staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood and has said Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza even after the war against Hamas.
