Why Saudi Arabia insists on a Palestinian state

In September 2024, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressed the opening of the ninth session of the Shoura Council, stating unequivocally: “The Palestinian issue is at the forefront of our country’s attention, and we renew the Kingdom’s rejection and strong condemnation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation authority against the Palestinian people.” He emphasized that “the Kingdom will not cease its tireless work toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” and underscored that “the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that.”
This statement represents one of the most significant diplomatic addresses from Saudi Arabia in recent decades, as it emerged within a highly sensitive political and security context. This period has witnessed pivotal changes in the Middle East, including Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza, which were followed by military actions in Lebanon and territorial annexations in Syria. These developments have propelled the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allied with the extreme religious right, toward increased aggression and a desire to terminate the two-state solution, thereby imposing a new fait accompli in favor of Israel, not only in Palestine but also regionally, under which Israel is crowned as the leader of the Middle East. This situation is clearly rejected by Riyadh.
In addition, in the latter months of President Joe Biden’s administration, the US actively pursued normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, Riyadh, which supports the peace process, has established very challenging yet realistic and straightforward conditions. These conditions include the desire for a strategic security and defense agreement with the US, as well as a clear and reliable commitment from the Israelis to advance a path that ensures the rights of the Palestinians and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with UN resolutions.
Some people perceive these Saudi policies as a maneuver, particularly in light of the critical discourse from the Kingdom regarding certain Palestinian factions or the mismanagement of the Palestinian Authority. Additionally, the fact that some of these factions are allied with Iran or maintain an antagonistic stance toward Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries contributes to this perception.
However, it is often overlooked that Saudi Arabia is not an emotional state and its policies are not based on reactive measures. Instead, the country operates according to a strategic vision that prioritizes its national security first and the broader Arab national security second. Consequently, Riyadh has not limited itself to narrow calculations but has instead considered the larger context of the Middle East.
It recognizes the genuine threat posed by aggressive Israeli policies, understanding that the destruction of Gaza, assaults on the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians will not lead to peace. Rather, these actions are likely to foster further extremism and violence, potentially creating a new generation that is willing to take up arms against Israel — not only within the Occupied Territories but also among sympathizers from various countries around the world, which could lead to wider conflicts.

It is often overlooked that Saudi Arabia is not an emotional state and its policies are not based on reactive measures. 

Hassan Al-Mustafa

Hence, the rapid issuance of a clear statement by the Foreign Ministry last week can be understood within this context, as it refuted and rejected the discussions that took place between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu regarding the resettlement of Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan, as well as Saudi Arabia’s stance on relations with Israel.
The Saudi statement issued shortly after the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s position regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state is “firm and unwavering.” Furthermore, “this firm stance was explicitly affirmed” by the crown prince at the Shoura Council meeting last September.
The statement also reiterated Riyadh’s firm rejection of “any actions that undermine Palestinian rights, including Israeli settlement expansion, land annexation, and any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.” The statement emphasized that “a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without ensuring the Palestinian people receive their full legitimate rights under international resolutions, a position Saudi Arabia has made clear to both the previous and current US administrations.”
Riyadh is keen to maintain a distinguished relationship with Washington, particularly following a phone conversation between the crown prince and President Trump last month, during which discussions took place regarding investments potentially worth up to $600 billion, with the possibility of more. Additionally, Trump praised the crown prince and his achievements in an interview with Al Arabiya during his election campaign. However, this does not imply that Saudi Arabia will unconditionally accept American policies; rather, Riyadh will assert its role as a significant regional power with its own international standing and independent policies. The Kingdom will vigorously pursue efforts to solidify this position, aiming to achieve regional peace.
Saudi Arabia recognizes that peace cannot be achieved without the involvement of the Palestinians. Its status as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques necessitates an active role in the Islamic world. The Kingdom cannot accept the policies of Trump and Netanyahu aimed at displacing the Palestinians, as such actions pose a significant threat to both Saudi national security and the stability of Arab nations. This critical aspect has been overlooked by Trump and ignored by Netanyahu in their discussions.
This will be a particularly challenging phase. However, Saudi Arabia has extensive experience in engaging with US presidents. This experience is characterized by a combination of firm stances and diplomatic flexibility, as well as strong security and economic partnerships. Furthermore, Riyadh’s relationship with Washington is state-to-state, facilitated through institutional frameworks, providing greater sustainability. Through this approach, Saudi Arabia aims to foster closer cooperation while ensuring that its interests remain intact and that the already-fragile Arab security is not compromised.

• Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher interested in Islamic movements, the development of religious discourse and the relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran. X: @Halmustafa