Saudi Says No Diplomatic Relations With Israel Without Independent Palestine State

Saudi Arabia has said that it has told the US that there will be no diplomatic ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders.

Saudi Arabia has said that it has told the US that there will be no diplomatic ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

Source : Getty

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said that it has conveyed the United States that there will be no diplomatic ties with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem. Additionally, Saudi Arabia emphasised the Israeli "aggression" on the Gaza Strip should stop.

Earlier on Tuesday, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby stated that the US has received feedback that Saudi Arabia and Israel are showing willingness towards resuming normalisation discussions, as reported by news agency Reuters.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that regarding the discussions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America on the Arab-Israeli peace process, and in light of what has been attributed to the U.S. National Security Spokesperson, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the position of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been steadfast on the Palestinian issue and the necessity that the brotherly Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights," the Saudi Ministry said. 

"The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the U.S. administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The Kingdom reiterates its call to the permanent members of the UN Security Council that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state, to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all," it further stated.