'Israel' normalization off table without Palestinian state: Saudi FM
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As Saudi-Israeli normalization remains non-finalized amid the war on Gaza, Saudi Arabia reiterates its main prerequisite: the establishment of a Palestinian state.
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Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attends Outreach/BRICS Plus format session at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday that normalization between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli occupation is off the table until the "two-state solution" is achieved and a Palestinian state is established.
During a discussion session at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, the Foreign Minister said, "It is not just the issue of normalization that is at risk now, but the situation in the entire region if we do not find a clear solution and path to establishing a Palestinian state," adding, "We are working to ensure that the Palestinians obtain their legitimate rights and that Palestine becomes a member of the international community."
"I hope the leadership in Israel will see that this is not only the right and just thing to do, but it is also in Israel's security and strategic interest to do so," he added.
Regarding Saudi-Iranian relations, bin Farhan confirmed that bilateral ties were moving in the right direction but remain complicated due to regional conditions.
The Saudi Foreign Minister also stated that the establishment of Palestinian statehood is tied to principles of international law not to recognition by "Israel", further attributing the failure of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza to the occupation spawning new demands time and time again.
"The Israeli occupation is committing genocide in Gaza," he asserted.
Saudi Arabia to host meeting of alliance pushing for Palestinian state
Saudi Arabia hosted Wednesday the inaugural meeting of a newly formed "international alliance" aimed at advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Launched last month alongside the UN General Assembly, the "International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution" includes countries from the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced that close to 90 “states and international organizations” took part in the two-day gathering in Riyadh.
"A genocide is happening with the goal of evicting the Palestinian people from their land, which Saudi Arabia rejects," bin Farhan stressed, characterizing the humanitarian conditions as "catastrophic" and denouncing the "total blockade" of northern Gaza.
Following the outbreak of the war on Gaza last year, Saudi Arabia — the world's largest oil exporter — suspended US-mediated discussions on normalizing relations with "Israel".
In September, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated that Saudi Arabia requires the establishment of an "independent Palestinian state" as a prerequisite for normalization.
