Saudi statement refutes US-Israeli claims on normalization: Okaz
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Saudi newspaper Okaz says the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement regarding normalizing ties with "Israel" refutes claims made by the United States and "Israel".
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A bird flies next to Saudi Arabia's flag at the rooftop of their consulate building in Istanbul, Sunday, October 14, 2018. (AP)
Saudi Arabian newspaper Okaz stated, on Wednesday, that the statement released by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "refuted all the claims promoted by Washington and "Tel Aviv" to serve their interests" regarding the Israeli-Saudi normalization of ties.
According to the Saudi newspaper, the US-Israeli leaks attempting to create an impression that the Kingdom is open to the idea of normalizing ties with "Israel" while it continues its aggression on the Gaza Strip are meant to influence Saudi Arabian efforts aiming for an immediate ceasefire.
The newspaper added that "'the Kingdom's statement cut the road short to any outbidding on the Kingdom's historical position, which is fixed and firm towards the Palestinian cause and its permanent support for the rights of the Palestinian people, strengthening their steadfastness and providing them with a decent life."
The Saudi stance, as expressed in the foreign ministry's statement, emphasized the necessity of resolving the Palestinian cause, first and foremost, and establishing an independent Palestinian State, which is considered by the Saudi newspaper as "a historical stance par excellence."
No ties with 'Israel' without Palestinian State recognition: Riyadh
Saudi Arabia will establish diplomatic relations with "Israel" only if a Palestinian state is recognized within its 1967 borders with the eastern part of al-Quds as its capital and the aggression on the Gaza Strip is ended, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and "Israel" would depend on ending the war in the Gaza Strip and a clear path to establishing a Palestinian state. Earlier, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh.
"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 Ministry said in a statement.
It is necessary that the "Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights," the ministry stressed, adding that it called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to recognize the Palestinian State.
The statement came shortly after Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated to CNN that Riyadh would not recognize "Israel" or contribute to the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip unless there is a credible plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Read more: Why is Saudi Arabia open to normalize relations with 'Israel'?
