Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Saudi delegation cancels visit to Palestine's Al-Aqsa fearing backlash

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 28 Sep 2023 10:23
  • 4 Shares
4 Min Read

Israeli media says that the Saudi officials have canceled plans to visit Al-Aqsa holy mosque due to anticipated criticisms and repercussions.

  • x
  • Saudi delegation cancels visit to Palestine's Al-Aqsa fearing backlash
    An individual waving the Palestinian flag in front of the Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque in occupied Al-Quds occupied Palestine in 2022 (Social media)

The Saudi delegation, led by the ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Nayef bin Bandar al-Sudairi, canceled its scheduled visit on Wednesday to the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque after several Palestinian parties voiced their criticism of the plan and called for the prevention of such a visit, which is seen as a new step toward normalizing ties with the Israeli occupation entity.

Al-Sudairy was recently appointed by Riyadh as its non-resident ambassador to the PA. The official arrived in Ramallah on Tuesday to discuss Saudi Arabia's normalization efforts with the entity and present his credentials to President Mahmoud Abbas, marking the first visit by a Saudi delegation to Palestine in three decades. 

Israeli media commented on this matter, stating, "The Saudi ambassador to the Palestinian Authority canceled his Al-Aqsa visit due to anticipated criticisms and repercussions."

Read more: Top US, PA envoys to meet in Saudi Arabia... What's on the Horizon?

The announcement of the visit "faced reactions, with some calling for its prohibition, seeing it as a sign of normalization with Israel. After understanding the sensitivities from their hosts in Ramallah [Mahmoud Abbas], the Saudis postponed the visit."

Saudi Arabia's delegation had planned to visit the holy mosque to allegedly commemorate the birth anniversary of the Prophet Mohammed PBUH, occurring on Wednesday and Thursday. However, al-Sudairi informed his hosts in Ramallah, as per Haaretz, that he "does not intend to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque but promised to visit in the future."

In response to an inquiry by Haaretz, the Israeli occupation foreign ministry claimed that it "was unaware of this plan." According to Palestinian reports cited by the newspaper, the Saudis "requested not to publicize the date and details of the visit to prevent any Israeli interference in the visit's agenda and also to prevent potential Palestinian protests against normalization with Israel."

Declining Saudi support for normalization

Related News

Hamas slams PA's Abbas unilateral PLO council decision

Saudi Foreign Minister to visit occupied West Bank in rare step

A recent poll conducted by the Washington Institute for Near East Studies in Saudi Arabia found that the number of Saudi citizens in favor of normalizing ties with the occupation entity has declined by nearly 20 percent in recent years.

From around 40 percent of the kingdom's population supporting this move earlier, the recent survey revealed that this number is at approximately 33 percent.

The poll also showed that vis-a-vis normalization, Saudis believed that the Palestinian ambitions come in second place, while 36% agree that it is "important" to gain "new steps toward political rights and better economic opportunities for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza." 

Moreover, the results showed that not only has the percentage of support for normalization been declining over the years, but also there has been a declining reliance of Saudi public opinion on American guarantees as the report highlights "American commitments are unreliable lately."

Normalization for nuclear power

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed earlier this month that Riyadh is on a trajectory towards normalizing ties with "Israel."

"Every day we get closer," he said in an interview with Fox News released last Wednesday.

In response to a question on the requirements of a normalization deal, the de facto Saudi leader claimed that "the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part." Adding that there had been "good negotiations" so far. Additionally, he expressed Saudi's intent to pursue nuclear capabilities if Iran does so.

Read more: WSJ: Saudi Arabia offers PA funds resumption... but at what cost?

On this matter, Yair Lapid, "Israel's" opposition leader, expressed reservations about Saudi Arabia procuring a nuclear program. Echoing similar sentiments, Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, pointed out that no normalization deal should risk the entity's security, hinting at the possible concessions Saudi might demand.

Israeli reports suggest that Saudi Arabia has outlined stringent terms for normalization. These terms include gaining "Israel's" approval for uranium enrichment, constructing a nuclear facility for peaceful use, and establishing a US-Saudi defense pact among others.

However, US officials have cautioned that any agreement with these conditions will not be in the near future.

  • Mahmoud Abbas
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Al-Aqsa Mosque
  • Nayef Al-Sudairi
  • Palestinian authority
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS