Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently suggested that Palestinians should establish a state in Saudi Arabia instead of their homeland, further dismissing their right to self-determination. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu stated, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.”
This statement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia and Israel appear to be moving further away from normalizing relations, despite previous indications of progress. Riyadh has consistently maintained that a clear path to Palestinian statehood is necessary for formal ties with Israel. However, Netanyahu outright rejected this idea, citing security concerns for Israel.
During his official visit to the United States, Netanyahu also participated in a joint press conference with President Donald Trump, where Trump proposed the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza to transform the enclave into the “Riviera of the Mediterranean.” Netanyahu expressed optimism about the possibility of peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom’s firm stance on Palestinian statehood with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The press conference was followed by a statement from Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry reaffirming the kingdom’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state and refusing to establish diplomatic relations with Israel without this condition. Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the complex dynamics at play in the region regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and potential normalization with Saudi Arabia.