Saudi Arabia Says No Diplomatic Ties with Israel Before Recognition of Independent Palestinian State

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, holds talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, holds talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says No Diplomatic Ties with Israel Before Recognition of Independent Palestinian State

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, holds talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, holds talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s steadfast position “towards the Palestinian cause and the need for the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights.”

The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community, “especially the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, that haven’t yet recognized a Palestinian state to do so urgently.” The state should be based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“This will allow the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights and achieve comprehensive and just peace for all,” added the ministry.

“On the discussions that have taken place between Saudi Arabia and the United States regarding Arab-Israeli peace, and in wake of the remarks made by the American National Security Adviser, the Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that the Kingdom’s position has and will always be steadfast towards the Palestinian cause and the need for the brotherly Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights,” it continued.

“The Kingdom has informed the American administration of its steadfast stance and that diplomatic relations will not be established with Israel without the recognition of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital,” continued the ministry.

It also demanded “an end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the enclave.”



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.