Saudi Arabia categorically rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements regarding a “Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia”, describing it as reflective of an “occupying extremist mindset” that disregards the rightful and legitimate claims Palestinians have to their native lands, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

The statement went on to condemn continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, including acts of “ethnic cleansing,” while praising statements by other states rejecting Netanyahu’s comments. The Foreign Ministry also reiterated that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved via a two-state solution. The story got ink from Reuters.

A unified Arab response: Palestine’s Foreign Ministry slammed Netanyahu’s statements as “racist and anti-peace,” while PLO leader Hussein Al Sheikh praised the position taken by Saudi Arabia’s “leadership and people.” Egypt deemed the remarks “irresponsible and completely unacceptable,” declaring Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty “a red line.” Meanwhile, the UAE also affirmed that the Kingdom’s sovereignty was off-limits and doubled down on Saudi Arabia’s call for a two-state solution as the only means for attaining regional peace. Jordan and Sudan also issued similar remarks.

IN CONTEXT- Netanyahu’s comments follow US President Donald Trump’s proposal of a UStakeover of the Gaza Strip to turn it into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” with the plan calling for the forced displacement of all 2.2 mn Gazans residing in the Palestinian enclave. The Kingdom issued a swift rebuff to Trump’s call last week, describing any proposal to displace and resettle Palestinians while annexing their land as “non-negotiable.”

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