Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated on Wednesday that the kingdom will not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state and condemned the “attacks of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.
“The kingdom will not cease working tirelessly to achieve an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its largest city, and we confirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel until that happens,” stated the crown prince,.
Following the outbreak of war last October between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which rules Gaza, Saudi Arabia halted US-backed plans for the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel, according to two sources familiar with Riyadh’s thinking earlier this year.
Saudi Arabia’s ruler had stated only weeks before the war began that Riyadh was close to reaching an agreement.
According to the two sources, there would be some delay in the US-backed discussions on normalizing Saudi-Israeli relations, which are considered as a critical step for the kingdom to gain what it deems the true prize of a US defense contract in exchange.
MBS made the statements during an annual speech to the consultative Shura Council, which he delivered on behalf of his father King Salman.
On Wednesday, the council took an oath of office before MBS addressed them.
