AiBot
A senior Saudi official has reaffirmed the kingdom’s long-standing stance on normalizing relations with Israel, insisting that any such move will only occur if there is a clear, irreversible path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. This assertion comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that regional recognition of Israel could be considered as part of a potential nuclear deal with Iran.
According to a source with direct knowledge of the matter, now speaking to CNN on condition of anonymity, Saudi Arabia’s position remains unchanged on this key aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The source explicitly stated that while Riyadh is eager to pursue closer ties with its neighbors and strengthen regional cooperation, it is not willing to countenance any normalization of relations with Israel until a Palestinian state has been formally recognized and established.
“The same position, Riyadh remains committed to,” the source revealed, reiterating the official Saudi government line on this contentious issue. When pressed for further clarification, the source emphasized that Riyadh is not willing to engage in a trade-off or compromise on this core aspect of its policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “There is no quid pro quo; no one can force us into a position that would undermine our long-held commitment to the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.”
The renewed assertion by Saudi Arabia comes amidst growing speculation about potential shifts in the kingdom’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington’s efforts to forge a region-wide recognition of Israel gathered momentum, but Riyadh consistently expressed reservations about proceeding without concrete progress towards Palestinian statehood.
US officials had reportedly discussed the possibility of Israel’s annexation of the West Bank as a potential bargaining chip in the negotiations with Iran, as part of a comprehensive nuclear deal aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. However, the idea of a potential deal being conditioned on Israeli annexation has been met with widespread international condemnation, and Riyadh’s stance on this issue suggests that the kingdom remains opposed to the proposal.
A key point of contention remains the status of Jerusalem, which Saudi Arabia regards as the rightful capital of a future Palestinian state. Riyadh has in the past reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, which would see the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The Saudi government’s unwavering stance on this issue appears to align with those of several other regional actors, including Egypt, Jordan, and the Arab League, which have collectively expressed deep reservations about Israeli annexation plans and reiterated their long-standing commitment to Palestinian self-determination.