RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries have strongly condemned recent comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he seemingly suggested that a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi land.
Netanyahu’s remarks, reportedly made in a lighthearted manner according to some Israeli media, have drawn significant backlash, especially as tensions in the region remain high following U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza’s future.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, denounced Netanyahu’s statement as “unacceptable and completely detached from reality,” stressing that such ideas are “mere illusions and fantasies.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong response, categorically rejecting Netanyahu’s comments, calling them an attempt to divert attention from Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza. The ministry welcomed the widespread condemnation from Arab nations, which collectively dismissed the Israeli leader’s remarks.
During a televised interview last Thursday, Netanyahu responded to a discussion about normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia by making a controversial quip. When an Israeli journalist mistakenly referenced “a Saudi state” instead of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu interrupted, saying, “Unless you mean a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia. They have plenty of land.”
His remarks triggered immediate condemnation across the Arab world. Qatar, Egypt, and the Palestinian Foreign Ministry labeled the statement as “racist.” Jordan’s Foreign Ministry denounced the comments as “inflammatory and in clear violation of international law,” reaffirming the Palestinian right to an independent, sovereign state.
The United Arab Emirates also condemned Netanyahu’s remarks, calling them “provocative” and a blatant disregard for international law and UN resolutions.
For Palestinians, any suggestion of forced displacement is deeply alarming, as it evokes the memory of the “Nakba” or “catastrophe”—the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Saudi Arabia strongly criticized Netanyahu’s mindset, stating that his comments reflect “an extremist, occupying mentality” that disregards Palestinian rights. The kingdom emphasized that Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, demonstrate a lack of moral and humanitarian responsibility.
