Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that normalization of relations between Riyadh and Israel cannot occur without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The prince previously indicated that US-backed talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel were nearing a solution, prior to the Gaza conflict that erupted last October.
“The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” bin Salman stated on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
He also condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.
Two anonymous sources, speaking to Reuters, suggested that the “normalization” of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is considered a prerequisite for Riyadh securing a defense pact with Washington.
Bin Salman’s announcement came just before the UN General Assembly was scheduled to vote on a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, labeled the draft resolution “diplomatic terrorism” and criticized it for failing to denounce the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas from Gaza. The US envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also voiced opposition to the resolution.
The resolution urged Israel to “bring to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” no later than 12 months from now, and to provide reparations to Palestinians for damages resulting from the occupation. It was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 12 opposed and 43 abstentions.
Israel attributed the deaths of 1,200 individuals to the Hamas incursion and reported that an additional 250 were taken hostage. According to the health ministry of the enclave, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations since then, while more than 95,000 have been injured.