Netanyahu’s Proposal: A Palestinian State in Saudi Arabia?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reignited tensions by suggesting that Palestinians establish their state in Saudi Arabia. Speaking in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu dismissed Palestinian claims to self-determination in Judea and Samaria and Gaza, stating, "The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there."

The remarks come as Israel and Saudi Arabia remain far from normalizing relations, despite prior U.S. efforts to broker an agreement. Riyadh has consistently maintained that any diplomatic recognition of Israel hinges on a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood—an idea Netanyahu outright rejected, calling it a "security threat to Israel."

He pointed to Gaza’s Hamas-led government as proof that a Palestinian state would be inherently unstable, citing the October 7 attacks as justification for his position.

Netanyahu’s comments coincided with a joint press conference alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump, where Trump proposed a dramatic reshaping of the region. His vision includes relocating Palestinians from Gaza and transforming the strip into the "Riviera of the Mediterranean" under U.S. administration. The proposal sparked immediate backlash, particularly from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia swiftly responded through its foreign ministry, reiterating its unwavering stance on Palestinian statehood. A statement emphasized that the kingdom remains committed to an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel without it.

As diplomatic tensions escalate, Netanyahu’s suggestion adds yet another layer of complexity to the Middle East peace process. Whether this bold proposal gains traction remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Post October 7 the notion of a peaceful Palestinian state coexisting with Israel seems more far fetched than mass relocation.