Saudi Arabia stipulates condition for business engagement with Israel
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that Saudi Arabia and Israel cannot establish normalized relations without achieving independent statehood for Palestine. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is essential for normalizing relations between Riyadh and West Jerusalem. He emphasized that any diplomatic ties with Israel would only be pursued following the creation of such a state.
Prior to the outbreak of the Gaza conflict last October, the crown prince mentioned that US-led negotiations aimed at fostering relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel were nearing a resolution.
“The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” bin Salman said on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters. He also condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against Palestinians.
Two anonymous sources shared with Reuters that the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is seen as a key step for Riyadh in securing a defense pact with the United States.
This declaration from bin Salman came just ahead of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, labeled the draft resolution as “diplomatic terrorism,” criticizing it for failing to denounce the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. US envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also opposed the resolution.
The resolution urged Israel to “bring to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months and to provide reparations to Palestinians for damages incurred during the occupation. It passed with 124 votes in favor, 12 against, and 43 abstentions.
Israel has attributed the deaths of 1,200 individuals to the Hamas incursion and reported that around 250 people were taken hostage. In response to the conflict, the Gaza health ministry stated that more than 41,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli military operations since then, with over 95,000 injured.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
Prior to the outbreak of the Gaza conflict last October, the crown prince mentioned that US-led negotiations aimed at fostering relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel were nearing a resolution.
“The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” bin Salman said on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters. He also condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against Palestinians.
Two anonymous sources shared with Reuters that the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is seen as a key step for Riyadh in securing a defense pact with the United States.
This declaration from bin Salman came just ahead of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, labeled the draft resolution as “diplomatic terrorism,” criticizing it for failing to denounce the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. US envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also opposed the resolution.
The resolution urged Israel to “bring to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months and to provide reparations to Palestinians for damages incurred during the occupation. It passed with 124 votes in favor, 12 against, and 43 abstentions.
Israel has attributed the deaths of 1,200 individuals to the Hamas incursion and reported that around 250 people were taken hostage. In response to the conflict, the Gaza health ministry stated that more than 41,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli military operations since then, with over 95,000 injured.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
