Following a meeting between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Arabia clarified its stance on the establishment of a Palestinian state in exchange for a treaty with Israel.
Trump had initially stated that Saudi leaders were not demanding a Palestinian state, emphasizing that peace was the primary goal. However, Saudi Arabia quickly refuted this claim, asserting that they indeed required the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital for normalization with Israel.
The kingdom’s foreign ministry issued a statement reaffirming their unwavering position, stating that it was non-negotiable and not subject to compromises. Saudi Arabia also expressed opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians, a position that contradicted Trump’s recent proposals.
This clear divergence between Saudi Arabia and Trump was evident in the president’s controversial statements, including advocating for the depopulation of Gaza and suggesting U.S. takeover of the region, contrary to Saudi Arabia’s longstanding demand for a Palestinian state in exchange for relations with Israel.
Despite these differences, Trump is committed to brokering a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, considering it a key foreign policy objective. Netanyahu has also highlighted the potential for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Known for his negotiation skills and unconventional demands, Trump played a role in securing agreements between Israel and four Arab countries during his first term.
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