Arab world unites in condemnation of Netanyahu's proposal for Palestinian state on Saudi soil

By bellecarter // 2025-02-12

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi Arabian territory, a statement that sparked widespread diplomatic outrage and accusations of violating international law and sovereignty.
Arab nations, led by Egypt, strongly condemned Netanyahu's remarks, emphasizing the sanctity of Saudi sovereignty and the right of Palestinians to establish their state on their own land.
Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), rejected the proposal, affirming that the State of Palestine would only be established on Palestinian land and praising Saudi Arabia's support for international law.
The international community, including British lawmakers, criticized Netanyahu's proposal, with some labeling it as an attempt at forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) denounced Netanyahu's remarks, accusing Israel of attempting to divert attention from its actions in Gaza and reiterating the Palestinians' right to their land.

In a scathing rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi territory, the Arab world has united in condemnation. Netanyahu made the remarks during an interview on Israel's Channel 14 on Feb. 6, a statement that has since sparked diplomatic outrage and accusations of violating international law and sovereignty. The proposal is seen as a direct challenge to the long-standing Arab position that any normalization of relations with Israel must be predicated on the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The conflict between Israel and Palestine, rooted in the displacement of Palestinians following the creation of Israel in 1948, has been a focal point of Middle Eastern politics for decades. The suggestion that Palestinians be relocated to Saudi Arabia, a country with its own distinct identity and national interests, is both politically and legally contentious. Egypt, a key player in Middle Eastern politics and a signatory to the 1979 peace treaty with Israel, was among the first to respond. Without directly naming Netanyahu, Egypt's foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday condemning the remarks "in the strongest terms." "Egypt condemns the irresponsible Israeli statements that incite against the kingdom and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi lands," the ministry said. "The security of the kingdom and respect for its sovereignty is a red line that it will not allow to be violated." The statement further accused Netanyahu of violating international law and diplomatic norms, emphasizing that the Palestinian people have the right to establish their independent state on their own land. Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), also condemned the proposal. "We affirm that the State of Palestine will only be on the land of Palestine, and we appreciate the positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people, which always call for the implementation of international legitimacy and international law," Sheikh said on Saturday. The international community, including British lawmakers, has also weighed in. Labour MP Afzal Khan told Middle East Eye, "Palestinians do not need more displacement. They need a free homeland. Netanyahu's barbaric proposals would be the forced removal of a population and a plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza."

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council's reactions

Saudi Arabia, a central figure in the region, has accused Netanyahu of attempting to "divert attention" from Israel's ongoing "crimes" in Gaza, including "ethnic cleansing." (Related: Trump repeats call for complete ethnic cleansing of Gaza after Netanyahu meeting.) "The kingdom affirms that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also condemned Netanyahu's remarks, with Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stating, "These dangerous and irresponsible statements confirm the approach of the Israeli occupation forces in their disrespect for international and UN laws and treaties and the sovereignty of states." Netanyahu's suggestion has not only strained Israel's already delicate relationships with Arab nations but has also highlighted the deep divisions and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Arab world's unified response underscores the importance of respecting sovereignty and international law, particularly in the context of the ongoing struggle for Palestinian statehood. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the conflict, the international community will continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all involved. IsraelCollapse.com has related stories. Watch the video below that talks about Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and the "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council's reactions

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