Anthony Blinken at a press conference in Qatar/Reuters
The Saudi Foreign Ministry published a statement tonight (Wednesday) emphasizing that there will be no normalization with Israel without an end to the war in Gaza and Israeli consent to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
why is it important:
The announcement was made in response to what White House spokesman John Kirby said last night at a press briefing when he claimed that the normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia are not related to efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
"We received positive feedback from both sides that they are interested in continuing these discussions (on normalization), but this is a separate track that is not specifically related to efforts to achieve a prolonged humanitarian truce (in the fighting in Gaza). Both things are very important to us," said Kirby.
"We received positive feedback from both sides that they are interested in continuing these discussions."
White House spokesman John Kirby/documentation on social networks according to Section 27 A of the Copyright Law
In the news center:
American Secretary of State Lincoln visited Saudi Arabia on Monday and discussed with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the issue of normalization with Israel.
Today Blinken said at a press conference in Qatar that the Saudis are interested in normalization but for that to happen the war in Gaza must end and Israel must agree to a path towards a Palestinian state.
Call on all members of the Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state as soon as possible.
Netanyahu and Mohammed bin Salman/image processing, Jonathan Zindel/Flash 90, Cristiano Barni ATPImages/Getty Images
What they say:
The statement of the Saudi Foreign Ministry contradicted Kirby's words and emphasized that Saudi Arabia has always stood by the Palestinians.
"The Kingdom made clear to the USA its determined position according to which Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without recognizing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital and without the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip ending and all Israeli occupation forces withdrawing from the Gaza Strip," the harsh Saudi statement read.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry further emphasized that it calls on all members of the UN Security Council that have not yet recognized a Palestinian state to do so as soon as possible.
More on the same topic:
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war
Saudi Arabia
Palestinian state
Anthony Blinken
Muhammad bin Salman