Saudi Arabia: We’re relentless in efforts to establish independent Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia says it remains relentless in position on the establishment of the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

For decades, the United States has pushed for a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East, but has not formally recognised an independent Palestinian state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the country’s ministry of foreign affairs said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is “firm and unwavering”.

The ministry recalled that Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the country’s crown prince and prime minister, “unequivocally” reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024.

“His Royal Highness emphasized that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the statement reads.

“His Royal Highness also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November II,2024.

“He stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

“His Royal Highness also urged more peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine, and emphasized the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the Palestinian people’s rights, as expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognizing Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.”

Saudi Arabia also reaffirmed its “unequivocal” rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

“The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it,” the statement reads.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises.

“Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations.”

The debate on whether the Palestinian territories fit the legal definition of a state originates from the aftermath of the 1967 six-day war where Palestine claimed the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip as its territory, all of which had been Israeli-occupied territories since the war.

At the forefront of the dispute is the fact that Palestinians believe East Jerusalem and its sacred sites should be the capital of their state, while Israel claims that an indivisible Jerusalem is the country’s capital.