RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not recognise Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In a speech on Wednesday, he strongly condemned what he described as the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.
“The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the Crown Prince, known as MBS, stated.
Following the outbreak of war last October between Israel and Hamas, Saudi Arabia halted US-backed plans to normalise relations with Israel, sources familiar with Riyadh’s position said earlier this year. This marked a significant shift in the kingdom’s diplomatic focus.
Just weeks before the fighting erupted, MBS had indicated that Saudi Arabia was nearing a deal with Israel. However, two sources told Reuters that the normalisation talks, backed by the US, would face delays, with Saudi Arabia seeking a US defence pact in return.
The Crown Prince made these remarks during his annual address to the Shura Council, on behalf of his father, King Salman. The council had earlier sworn an oath of office before MBS. –Agencies
