Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal has strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s suggestion of establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi Arabian territory.
The remark, made during a recent interview, has sparked outrage across the Arab world, with Saudi officials calling it “unacceptable” and a violation of Palestinian rights.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, a former intelligence chief and influential royal, condemned the idea, emphasizing that Palestinians have a rightful claim to their historic homeland. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also issued a statement asserting that such suggestions reflect an “extremist mindset” and fail to acknowledge Palestinian sovereignty.
Egypt also criticized Netanyahu’s remarks, with its Foreign Ministry labeling them as “irresponsible” and an attack on Saudi sovereignty. The statement reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity is a red line for Egypt and other Arab nations.
The controversy comes as discussions continue regarding potential normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi leaders have consistently maintained that diplomatic recognition of Israel hinges on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region, particularly after reports surfaced that former U.S. President Donald Trump had proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to other Middle Eastern nations. These ideas have been widely condemned by Arab leaders, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
