Egypt condemns Netanyahu's call for Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

Egypt strongly condemned the remarks made by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously suggested that a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi Arabian territory. These comments have sparked widespread controversy and criticism, further exacerbating regional tensions.

Netanyahu stated in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 on Thursday: "The Saudis can establish a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land there." These remarks come as Riyadh has reiterated that normalization of relations with Israel will only occur if there is a clear path towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Saturday, strongly condemning these remarks, without explicitly naming Netanyahu. The statement noted that Egypt condemns such inflammatory and irresponsible rhetoric directed against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi land. "The security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and respect for its sovereignty is a red line that cannot be crossed."

Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also responded to Netanyahu's statement, calling it a "violation of international law and international conventions." Sheikh stated on Saturday: "We affirm that the Palestinian state can only be established on the land of Palestine, and we appreciate the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and its people, who have always called for the implementation of international legitimacy and international law."

During a visit to the United States, Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of Palestinian statehood. He told reporters on Thursday: "Especially not a Palestinian state. After October 7th? You know what that is? There was once a Palestinian state; it was called Gaza. Gaza, led by Hamas, is a Palestinian state, and look what we got." The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia's position on the issue of Palestinian statehood as "firm and unwavering."