Saudi Arabia has reiterated its firm position on diplomatic relations with Israel, declaring that it will not establish ties unless an independent Palestinian state is established. This declaration was made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) during his annual address to the Shura Council on Wednesday, representing his father, King Salman.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions
In his speech, Crown Prince MBS condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital remains unwavering. “The Kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” MBS stated.
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This strong stance comes amidst ongoing fluctuations in regional diplomacy. Last year, Saudi Arabia was on the brink of normalizing relations with Israel, with support from the United States. However, the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in October led Riyadh to suspend those plans.
Earlier this year, sources close to Saudi officials revealed that any normalization talks would face delays. The Kingdom is seeking a U.S. defense pact as part of any potential deal, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.
The Crown Prince’s address underscores Saudi Arabia’s persistent support for the Palestinian cause, despite the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. The annual address also marked the formal swearing-in of Shura Council members, who took their oaths of office before the Crown Prince.
