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Saudi Arabia has strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s suggestion that the kingdom should host a Palestinian state, denouncing the remarks as an attempt to divert attention from Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Netanyahu’s comments, which they said reflect a blatant disregard for Palestinian rights and international law.
Netanyahu made the controversial remark during an interview on Israel’s Channel 14, when the host mistakenly referred to a “Saudi state” instead of a “Palestinian state.” Seizing on the slip, Netanyahu responded by saying, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.” The interviewer then suggested it was an idea worth considering, sparking widespread backlash across the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia swiftly condemned the statement, reaffirming its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. The Saudi Foreign Ministry declared that Palestinians have a fundamental right to their land and should not be treated as intruders or immigrants who can be expelled at Israel’s discretion. The kingdom also thanked its “brotherly countries” for standing in solidarity against Netanyahu’s remarks.
Several Arab nations, including Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, joined Saudi Arabia in denouncing Netanyahu’s suggestion. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional alliance of six Arab states, also criticized the Israeli leader, calling his words “dangerous and irresponsible.” GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi accused Israel of continuously disregarding international laws and the sovereignty of other nations.
This controversy comes amid an already tense situation in Gaza, where Israel’s military operations have led to the deaths of at least 61,700 Palestinians, including approximately 18,000 children. More than 14,000 additional individuals remain missing and are presumed dead, while much of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed. The conflict was ignited by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,139 deaths and the capture of over 250 hostages, dozens of whom remain in captivity.
Adding to the tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that the United States should “take over” and “own” Gaza, proposing to relocate Palestinians elsewhere—an idea that has been widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Trump also claimed that Saudi Arabia no longer required the formation of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for normalizing ties with Israel, a claim that Saudi officials have repeatedly refuted.
The latest remarks by Netanyahu have only deepened divisions in the region, with many Arab leaders reaffirming their commitment to Palestinian sovereignty. As international pressure mounts, the path forward remains uncertain, but Saudi Arabia’s response makes it clear that it will not entertain any proposal that undermines Palestinian territorial rights or its own sovereignty.