Saudi Arabia has once again asserted its unwavering position that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is formed.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) made this clear during his annual address to the Shura Council on Wednesday, speaking on behalf of his father, King Salman.
In his speech, the Crown Prince condemned the ongoing "crimes of the Israeli occupation" against the Palestinian people.
“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,” MBS stated.
This firm stance comes amidst fluctuating diplomatic efforts in the region. Last year, Saudi Arabia had been on the verge of normalising ties with Israel, backed by the United States. However, the October outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas prompted Riyadh to halt those plans.
Earlier this year, sources close to Saudi officials confirmed that normalisation talks would face delays, with the Kingdom seeking a US defence pact as part of any potential deal.
The Crown Prince’s remarks highlight Saudi Arabia's continued support for the Palestinian cause, despite pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. The annual address also marked the formal swearing-in of Shura Council members, who took their oath of office before the Crown Prince.
