The Saudi Ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, reiterated Saudi Arabia’s position on normalization of relations with Israel, stating that it will not happen with establishing a state for the Palestinians.
During an interview with Times Radio, the Saudi Ambassador to the UK said: “We cannot have a normalization of relations with Israel without a solution for the Palestinians. And the solution for the Palestinians is a state. It is very clear.”
Clear Position on Normalization
Prince Khalid explained that Saudi Arabia’s position on this matter is very clear. “We don’t speak publicly often. But when it does, we say what we mean and we mean what we say.”
He added that Saudi Arabia can engage in discussions with anyone. “We believe engagement is the way to move things forward,” Prince Khalid said. “We are happy to continuously engage in processes with anyone,” he added.
“But we do have some red lines. And for us, to end the last 75 years of pain and suffering caused by one problem has to include a Palestinian state,” he noted.
Complicated Situation
In the light of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his Cabinet Ministers’ recent statements regarding the issue, the Saudi Ambassador said that this further complicates the situation. “This is difficult, otherwise we would have been there, we would have found the solution,” he said.
He also noted that “this plot of land has been fought over consistently for 6,000 years, so it is not an easy thing to find. The three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe have fought over the same plot of land.”
Saudi Ambassador to the UK, HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, tells @adamboultonTABB on @TimesRadio :
“For Saudi Arabia, to end 75 years of pain and suffering caused by one problem must include a Palestinian state.’’ 🎙️🌍 https://t.co/pmoFzOowhk
— Saudi Embassy UK (@SaudiEmbassyUK) January 26, 2025
Prince Khalid added: “So, it is not easy but good things are never easy, and anyone who is objecting to what almost the whole world sees as the solution cannot be right.”
During his remarks, the Saudi Ambassador emphasized that it would be a two-state solution. “There is no other solution,” Prince Khalid confirmed.
Steadfast Support
Saudi Arabia has made clear its position on the Palestinian issue, stressing its unwavering support for the Palestinian people. In June 2024, the Saudi Ambassador to the UK stated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize ties with Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia insists that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless it recognizes an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem as its capital.
Advancing Two-state Solution
The Kingdom has spearheaded diplomatic efforts to advance the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In September 2024, it created the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. During its first meeting in Riyadh, with the participation of over 90 countries, it called for bold and decisive actions to implement the two-state solution.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the urgent need for an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, during the Joint Arab-Islamic Follow-up Summit in Riyadh.
Additionally, the Kingdom has rallied countries to recognize the State of Palestine, in a push to advance the two-state solution. As a result of Riyadh’s tireless diplomatic efforts, several countries recognized Palestine, including Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Armenia and the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.