The PM’s suggestion of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia draws widespread condemnation, but some in Israel are emboldened to stand up to the Saudi’s with a demand to do more in terms of land for the Palestinians they claim to care about.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked a new controversy with remarks suggesting that Saudi Arabia could establish a Palestinian state within its own borders.
Speaking during an interview with Israel’s right-wing Channel 14, Netanyahu responded to a slip by anchor Yaakov Bardugo, who mistakenly referred to a “Saudi state” instead of a “Palestinian state.” Netanyahu quipped, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.” When Bardugo called it an interesting idea that shouldn’t be “ruled out,” Netanyahu doubled down, stating that Saudi Arabia does have “a lot of territory.”
The remarks drew sharp reactions from Arab states and political leaders, particularly in the wake of ongoing efforts to broker normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement categorically rejecting any suggestion of displacing Palestinians from Gaza, calling it an example of Israel’s “occupying extremist mindset.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned Netanyahu’s statement as “irresponsible” and warned that such rhetoric could undermine regional diplomacy. Cairo officials stated, “Egypt firmly opposes any suggestion that Palestinian sovereignty should be established anywhere other than historic Palestine. Any deviation from this is an attack on Arab sovereignty and a violation of international law.”
Qatar also denounced the remarks, describing them as “provocative and unacceptable.” A spokesperson for Doha’s Foreign Ministry said, “Palestinian self-determination is not up for negotiation, nor can it be relocated at the convenience of an occupying power.”
The Arab League joined the chorus of criticism, with Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit calling Netanyahu’s statement a “complete detachment from reality.” He added, “Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people. It is not a question of real estate to be relocated at will.”
Netanyahu, in defending his approach to diplomatic negotiations, pointed to the Abraham Accords as proof that Israel has navigated complex diplomatic challenges before. “There were plenty of demands that had to be overcome,” he said, referring to normalization with the UAE and Bahrain. “In the end, the talks were successful.”
Saudi Arabia, which has insisted on Palestinian statehood as a key condition for normalization with Israel, has not directly addressed Netanyahu’s comment about establishing a Palestinian state within its borders. However, a senior Saudi diplomat, speaking anonymously, dismissed the idea as “absurd” and reiterated the kingdom’s support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
The following words were misspelled in this Article:
– *** Netanyahu quipped, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there”.
To prove to you that Bibi is a serious Leader – and one who does NOT joke about decisive political matters! – You can see here the information that can confirm the statements made by the Israel PM:
*** So, the Area of Saudi Arabia is 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq. mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia
To make a comparison, here is the Area of the State of Israel:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel
Therefore, these approximately 22,000 km2 (8,500m sq. mi) represent ONLY 1% of Saudi Arabia’s Area.
Logically, it follows that IF the Arab population – currently living in Israel – were to receive this 1% Area, this would mean that Saudi Arabia would be left with only 99% of its current territory…
This would be the Price of a stable and long-lasting PEACE in the Middle East!
If anyone avoids accepting this price, then they must remember where the people represented by this Flag were driven from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Hejaz
*** So, we need to know the origin of the Flag that represents the Hashemite Kingdom, as well as the place from where it was moved a hundred years ago… [Note where their country’s Capital was!]
In conclusion, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel was NOT joking but stated some lesser-known Historical and Geographical Truths!
The following words were misspelled in this Article:
– *** Netanyahu quipped, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there”.
To prove to you that Bibi is a serious Leader – and one who does NOT joke about decisive political matters! – You can see here the information that can confirm the statements made by the Israel PM:
*** So, the Area of Saudi Arabia is 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq. mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia
To make a comparison, here is the Area of the State of Israel:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel
Therefore, these approximately 22,000 km2 (8,500m sq. mi) represent ONLY 1% of Saudi Arabia’s Area.
Logically, it follows that IF the Arab population – currently living in Israel – were to receive this 1% Area, this would mean that Saudi Arabia would be left with only 99% of its current territory…
This would be the Price of a stable and long-lasting PEACE in the Middle East!
If anyone avoids accepting this price, then they must remember where the people represented by this Flag were driven from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Hejaz
*** So, we need to know the origin of the Flag that represents the Hashemite Kingdom, as well as the place from where it was moved a hundred years ago… [Note where their country’s Capital was!]
In conclusion, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel was NOT joking, but stated some lesser-known Historical and Geographical Truths!