Saudi Arabia has dismissed comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), accusing Netanyahu of trying to divert attention from Israeli crimes in Gaza, including ethnic cleansing.

Saudi Ministry's Statement: The ministry stressed that Palestinians have a rightful claim to their land and cannot be expelled by Israeli forces. It described Netanyahu's mindset as extremist and unable to grasp the deep connection Palestinians have with their land or their fundamental right to life. The statement condemned the destruction of Gaza and the killing and injuring of over 160,000 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children.

Peace Process: Saudi Arabia argued that extremist Israeli ideologies have thwarted peace efforts for over 75 years, ignoring Arab peace initiatives and systematically oppressing Palestinians. The ministry affirmed that rejecting Netanyahu's remarks underscores the centrality of the Palestinian cause to Arab and Islamic nations.

Netanyahu's Comments: Netanyahu's comments to Israel's Channel 14 suggested that Saudi Arabia, with its vast lands, could host a Palestinian state, claiming Riyadh does not require a Palestinian state for normalization with Israel.

U.S. Involvement: These remarks follow U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about seizing Gaza and displacing Palestinians, sparking widespread regional and international condemnation.

From October 7, 2023, to January 19, 2025, Israel, with U.S. support, committed acts in Gaza resulting in over 159,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, with more than 14,000 missing.