Saudi Arabia has strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s suggestion that the kingdom provide land for a Palestinian state, reaffirming that Palestinians have the right to their own territory and cannot be forcibly displaced.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry accused Netanyahu of attempting to shift focus away from Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza, which it described as “ethnic cleansing.” The ministry emphasized that Palestinians are rightful inhabitants of their land, not outsiders who can be expelled at Israel’s discretion.
“The kingdom affirms that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes,” the ministry stated.
Regional Condemnation
Netanyahu’s remarks came during an interview on Israel’s Channel 14, in which the interviewer mistakenly said “Saudi state” instead of “Palestinian state.” Netanyahu responded, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.” The interviewer agreed, calling it an idea worth exploring.
His comments sparked widespread outrage across the Arab world. Countries including Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, along with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), issued statements condemning the suggestion.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called Netanyahu’s remarks “dangerous and irresponsible,” saying they reflected Israel’s disregard for international law, UN resolutions, and state sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by “brotherly countries” in rejecting Netanyahu’s statements.
Broader Controversy Over Palestinian Future
The discussion on Palestinian displacement has been further complicated by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for the United States to “take over” and “own” Gaza, relocating its Palestinian population—a move widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Trump also claimed that Saudi Arabia would normalize ties with Israel without requiring the establishment of a Palestinian state, a claim Riyadh has consistently refuted.
Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
The war in Gaza has resulted in massive casualties and destruction. Israeli attacks have killed at least 61,700 Palestinians, including approximately 18,000 children, while over 14,000 people remain missing and are presumed dead. The enclave’s infrastructure has been devastated.
The war began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 250 hostages, dozens of whom are still believed to be held in Gaza.
