Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent suggestion to establish a Palestinian state within Saudi Arabia has sparked widespread condemnation across the Middle East.
During an interview on Thursday with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu proposed that Saudi Arabia could host a Palestinian state, stating, “They have plenty of land there.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry swiftly rejected the remarks, emphasizing that they aim to divert attention from the “continuous crimes” committed by Israel. The kingdom asserted the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to their land and reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution based on peaceful coexistence.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned Netanyahu’s suggestion as a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty and an assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. It also highlighted the violation of international law and the UN Charter, expressing full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and affirming that any breach of national sovereignty is unacceptable.
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also denounced the remarks, labeling them as reflecting an exclusionary and inciteful ideology that undermines peace and escalates tensions in the region. Spokesperson Sufian Qudah reaffirmed Jordan’s support for Saudi Arabia and called on the international community to condemn Netanyahu’s statements.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry joined the chorus of condemnation, describing Netanyahu’s proposal as a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called for an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He condemned the purported plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, labeling them as attempts at “ethnic cleansing” and the elimination of Palestine. Araghchi urged the OIC to convene an extraordinary meeting to take decisive action in defense of Palestinian rights.
