Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Affirms Kingdom's Stance on Israel in Annual Speech
In a powerful statement, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state and condemned the "crimes of the Israeli occupation" against the Palestinian people. The crown prince, also known as MbS, emphasized the kingdom's commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital before considering diplomatic relations with Israel.
Following the conflict between Israel and Hamas last October, plans for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel were put on hold, signaling a shift in Riyadh's diplomatic priorities. MbS had hinted at progress in negotiations just prior to the outbreak of hostilities.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that there may be a delay in discussions regarding the normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations, a crucial step for the kingdom to potentially secure a U.S. defense pact.
MbS delivered these remarks during his annual speech to the advisory Shura Council on behalf of his father, King Salman. The council took an oath of office before the crown prince addressed them.
Analysis:
The statement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores the kingdom's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its insistence on a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The decision not to recognize Israel without a Palestinian state reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to Palestinian rights and self-determination.
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