The government of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized. The statement came in direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent plan regarding the future of the Gaza Strip. 

“Saudi Arabia will continue its efforts to create an independent Palestinian state (…) and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless this condition is met,” the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement published on X. 

Riyadh also expressed its “firm” opposition to any violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including attempts to displace them from their land.

The remarks came after Trump, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, suggested relocating millions of Palestinians to third countries. 

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that its position is “non-negotiable” and that a just and lasting peace in the region will be “impossible unless the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, in accordance with international resolutions.” The ministry added that this stance has already been communicated to both the previous and the current U.S. administrations. 

Turkey also condemned it, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calling the proposal “unacceptable” and “wrong,” stressing that the only viable solution is a two-state outcome, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. 

The stance of the East

Egypt and Jordan likewise rejected the U.S. suggestion of temporarily hosting displaced Palestinians from Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty emphasized that all efforts should focus on rebuilding Gaza “without Palestinians leaving the enclave.”

Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed his rejection of “any attempt to seize control of Palestinian territories or displace their population.” 

For its part, Hamas dismissed Trump’s proposal as “ridiculous” and “absurd,” warning it could trigger further instability in the region. 

With this firm position, Saudi Arabia strengthens its role as a key player in the Arab world and makes clear that any attempt at normalization with Israel will remain conditional on the creation of a Palestinian state—amid rising regional tensions over the future of Palestine.