No relations with Israel without independent Palestinian state, says Saudi Arabia

NW YORK (Dunya News) – Saudi Arabia has made it clear that there is no question of establishing relations or recognising Israel until a Palestinian state is created.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated this while addressing a United Nations conference on the two-state solution, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France.

Prince Faisal emphasised that implementing a two-state solution is the key to regional stability, adding that the conference marks a milestone toward achieving peace. He said, “Security, stability, and prosperity for all the people of the region begin with delivering justice to the Palestinians.”

He asserted that Palestinians must be empowered to obtain their legitimate rights, the foremost being the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also highlighted that the Arab Peace Initiative provides a fair and just framework for resolving the conflict.

Prince Faisal further called for an immediate end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and announced that Saudi Arabia and France have assisted the World Bank in providing $300 million to Palestine.

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Days before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced he would formally recognize Palestinian statehood in September, provoking strong opposition from Israel and the United States.

Luxembourg hinted Monday that it could follow France and recognize a Palestinian state in September, with the possibility that other countries could announce similar plans when the conference resumes Tuesday.

"All states have a responsibility to act now," said Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa at the start of the meeting, calling for an international force to help underwrite Palestinian statehood.

He called for the world to recognize Palestinian statehood, while later demanding that Hamas surrender control of the Gaza Strip and its arms as part of a deal to end fighting in the territory.

France is hoping Britain will follow its lead. More than 200 British members of parliament on Friday voiced support for the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that recognition of a Palestinian state "must be part of a wider plan."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the meeting "the two-state solution is farther than ever before."

According to an AFP database, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states now recognize the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988.