Saudi Arabia’s Statement: A Firm Rejection of Liquidating the Palestinian Cause

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh. SPA file photo
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh. SPA file photo
TT

Saudi Arabia’s Statement: A Firm Rejection of Liquidating the Palestinian Cause

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh. SPA file photo
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh. SPA file photo

In a statement issued early Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is “firm and non-negotiable.”

The statement made clear that the Kingdom will not establish relations with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state, and that this stance “is not subject to negotiation or compromise.”

Saudi Arabia reiterated its absolute rejection of any violations of Palestinian rights, including Israeli settlement expansion, annexation of Palestinian land, and efforts to displace the Palestinian people.

The statement called on the international community to take responsibility for alleviating the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians, emphasizing that they “will remain steadfast on their land.”

It also stressed that a “just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Palestinians obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions.” Saudi Arabia noted that this position had been conveyed to both past and present US administrations.

The statement followed remarks made by US President Donald Trump at a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed Saudi Arabia’s firm stance, with President Mahmoud Abbas praising the Kingdom’s “sincere and principled opposition to settlement expansion, annexation, and displacement, while remaining committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

He also acknowledged Riyadh’s continued diplomatic and humanitarian support for the Palestinian cause, including aid for Gaza, advocacy in international forums, and efforts to organize a global peace conference.

Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, similarly commended Saudi Arabia’s “historic and unwavering commitment to Palestinian rights,” stating that a two-state solution is the “only path to security, stability, and peace in the region.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Political Analyst Muneef Al-Harbi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, tracing it back to King Abdulaziz’s 1945 meeting with US President Franklin Roosevelt.

He noted that the Kingdom has “never wavered in defending Palestinian rights and remains steadfast in rejecting any attempt to undermine them.”

Al-Harbi also stressed the need for international mobilization to support Palestinian rights and warned that military force, assassinations, and land annexation will not bring peace.

Instead, true stability can only be achieved through “the Saudi peace initiative, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Political analyst Nidal Al-Sabe’ described Saudi Arabia’s response as “principled, moral, and sovereign,” calling for “a unified Arab and Islamic stance through the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.”

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s swift and firm rejection of any effort to liquidate the Palestinian cause sent a “strong message” affirming the Kingdom’s “refusal to negotiate on Palestinian rights.”



Qatar’s PM Says Gaza Ceasefire at Critical Moment

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
TT

Qatar’s PM Says Gaza Ceasefire at Critical Moment

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, attends a session on the opening day of the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference, in Doha on December 6, 2025. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Qatar’s Prime Minister on Saturday said the Gaza ceasefire has reached a “critical moment” as its first phase winds down, with the remains of just one Israeli hostage still held in Gaza.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told an international conference in the Qatari capital that international mediators, led by the US, are working “to force the way forward” to the second phase to cement the deal.

“What we have just done is a pause,” he told the Doha Forum. “We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire.”

“A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out, which is not the case today,” he said.

While the ceasefire halted the heavy fighting of the two-year war, Gaza health officials say that over 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took effect in October.

The first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan took effect Oct. 10. The fighting stopped and dozens of hostages held in Gaza were exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prison. Israel sent a delegation last week to Egypt for talks on returning the remains of the last hostage.

The next phase, which includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, formation of a new technocratic government for the territory, disarmament of Hamas and an eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has not yet begun.

Sheikh Mohammed said that even the upcoming phase should be “temporary” and that peace in the region could only take place with the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state.

“If we are just resolving what happened in Gaza, the catastrophe that happened in the last two years, it’s not enough,” he said. “There is a root for this conflict. And this conflict is not only about Gaza."

He added: “It’s about Gaza. It’s about the West Bank. It’s about the rights of the Palestinians for their state. We are hoping that we can work together with the US administration to achieve this vision at the end of the day.”


Arab, Muslim States Alarmed by Israeli Plan to Move Gazans to Egypt

Rafah border crossing (Reuters file photo)
Rafah border crossing (Reuters file photo)
TT

Arab, Muslim States Alarmed by Israeli Plan to Move Gazans to Egypt

Rafah border crossing (Reuters file photo)
Rafah border crossing (Reuters file photo)

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Qatar said on Friday they were deeply concerned over Israeli statements about opening the Rafah crossing in one direction to push Gaza residents into Egypt.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries underlined their total rejection of any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

They said full adherence was needed to US President Donald Trump’s plan, which called for opening the Rafah crossing in both directions, safeguarding freedom of movement and preventing any resident of the enclave from being forced to leave.

The ministers said conditions must be created for Palestinians to remain on their land and to take part in rebuilding their homeland within an integrated vision to restore stability and improve humanitarian conditions.

The ministers reiterated their appreciation for Trump’s commitment to establishing peace in the region, saying it was important to move forward with the plan and carry out all its requirements without delay or obstruction in order to achieve security and peace and to strengthen the foundations of regional stability.

They called for a full and lasting ceasefire, an end to civilian suffering, and unrestricted humanitarian access into Gaza. They also urged the start of early recovery and reconstruction efforts and the creation of conditions that would allow the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in the territory, paving the way for a new phase of security and stability in the region.

The ministers affirmed their countries’ readiness to continue working and coordinating with the United States and all relevant regional and international parties to ensure full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803 and all related resolutions.

They said the objective was to provide an environment conducive to achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in line with international legitimacy and the two state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, including the occupied territories in Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.


Saudi FM, Qatari PM Co-Chair Coordination Council Executive Committee Meeting

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
TT

Saudi FM, Qatari PM Co-Chair Coordination Council Executive Committee Meeting

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Riyadh.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations, aspects of cooperation, and ways to develop them in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries.

Following the meeting, Prince Faisal and Sheikh Mohammed co-chaired the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

They reviewed the strong fraternal relations and ways to enhance them at bilateral and multilateral levels. They also discussed strengthening cooperation through several initiatives that would elevate relations to broader prospects.

Both sides praised the cooperation and coordination among the committees and working groups formed under the coordination council, stressing the importance of maintaining this level of progress to serve the mutual interests of both nations and their peoples.

The Executive Committee Secretariat presented an overview of the council’s activities and its committees over the past period, along with the latest updates and preparatory work for the eighth meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

At the end of the meeting, the two ministers signed the minutes of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.