Egypt Condemns Israeli Proposals for Palestinian State on Saudi Soil

Egypt has condemned Israeli officials’ suggestion of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory, calling the remarks irresponsible and an infringement on Saudi sovereignty. Netanyahu’s seemingly humorous comment during an interview has raised regional concerns, especially amid proposals from Trump regarding Gaza and Palestinian resettlement. Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of a Palestinian state for normalization with Israel, has rejected any suggestions for a Palestinian relocation.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt has strongly condemned recent remarks made by Israeli officials regarding the notion of establishing a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia, deeming them “irresponsible.” The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that such an idea constitutes a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty” and asserted that the security of the Kingdom is a significant concern for Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to make a light-hearted comment this week during an interview, where he initially corrected the interviewer who mistakenly referred to a “Saudi state” instead of a “Palestinian state.” Following the correction, Netanyahu added, “Unless you want the Palestinian state to be in Saudi Arabia, they have a lot of territory,” while smiling during his remarks in Washington.

The Egyptian response, while not mentioning Netanyahu outright, characterized the comments as “reprehensible aggression and an infringement of diplomatic norms.” This incident comes amidst suggestions from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who proposed that the United States could assume control over Gaza and create a “Riviera of the Middle East” as part of an initiative to relocate Palestinians to other regions, including Egypt and Jordan.

Arab nations express a desire for a two-state solution, permitting the establishment of a Palestinian homeland adjacent to Israel. In response to Trump’s earlier statements, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that it would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. The idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza has historically been rejected by both Palestinian leadership and neighboring Arab states.

Trump’s proposed plan has received substantial criticism globally, with leaders warning that such moves could destabilize the region. He recently stated that he is not in haste to implement the proposal to take over and redevelop Gaza.

In summary, Egypt’s condemnation of the Israeli suggestion regarding a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia reflects regional sensitivities concerning sovereignty and security. Netanyahu’s comments, which were dismissed as inappropriate, have ignited discussions about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the implications of U.S. proposals for the region’s future. Overall, the prospect of relocating Palestinians remains a contentious issue, met with widespread opposition from Palestinian and Arab leadership.

Original Source: www.usnews.com