Tel Aviv: This statement could strain relations between the two nations. However, Saudi Arabia’s response to Israel’s attack on Gaza in October 2023 had been relatively muted. Amid the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a new tension has emerged that can affect Tel Aviv and Saudi Arabia’s relations. Last week, Riyadh stated that it would not recognise Israel until the establishment of a Palestinian state. However, the tensions now appear to be escalating as, in an interview with Channel 14, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Saudi Arabia can establish a new Palestinian state in its territory if it wishes.
This statement of the Israeli PM could strain relations between the two nations. However, Saudi Arabia’s response to Israel’s attack on Gaza in October 2023 had been relatively muted.
“Saudi Arabia can establish a new Palestinian state within its own territory if it wishes. The country has enough land to provide the Palestinians with a state,” PM Netanyahu said. When asked about the Palestinian state, Netanyahu stated that he would not agree to “any deal that endangers the State of Israel.”
“Especially not a Palestinian state. After October 7? Do you know what that was? There was a Palestinian state; it was called Gaza. Under Hamas rule, Gaza was a Palestinian state, and look at what we got— the worst massacre since the Holocaust,” he further said.
Notably, PM Netanyahu’s interview was conducted during his visit to Washington. They met United States President Donald Trump and held a fruitful meeting. During the press conference, the US President talked about America taking control of Gaza while Netanyahu was spotted smiling. Both leaders also discussed the possibility of normalising relations with Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu said while showing optimism, “I believe peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not just possible; I think it is going to happen.”
Shortly after the crucial press conference, the Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia responded and stated that it would not discuss relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
It is worth noting that, earlier this week, an unnamed Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that they feared PM Netanyahu might be willing to delay the annexation of the West Bank. He might also want to delay the end of the war in Gaza to push forward a normalisation deal with Riyadh.
Israeli officials worried that their PM could use the delay in annexation as a bargaining chip to prevent Saudi Arabia from demanding a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
During his earlier time in office, Donald Trump facilitated the significant Abraham Accords, resulting in the United Arab Emirates forming diplomatic relations with Israel and acknowledging it as a nation. There is considerable speculation that if Trump wins a second term, he might promote a new phase of the Abraham Accords to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and obtain Saudi recognition of Israel.
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