Saudi FM pushes for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

An independent Palestinian state is critical for Middle East peace, says Saudi official as normalization talks with Israel reportedly stall.

By World Israel News Staff

Following reports that Saudi Arabia suspended normalization talks with Israel over concerns that Jerusalem won’t grant sweeping concessions to the Palestinians, the Gulf Kingdom’s Foreign Minister called for the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

“The two-state solution must return to the forefront,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told Al Arabiya TV on Monday.

‘The solution to the Palestinian issue supports the stability of the region and the world,” he added.

Prince Faisal also noted that “we now see a continuing escalation in the occupied territories,” in what appeared to be a reference to a spate of Palestinian terror attacks launched against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Although American and Israeli officials denied the report, Saudi outlet Elaph claimed that a senior Biden administration figure had formally told Jerusalem that the potential peace deal with Saudi Arabia is currently frozen.

The update left the Israeli side “confused,” the report said.

Rumors have been swirling for months that Saudi Arabia and Israel are gearing up for a historic normalization agreement, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly hinting that a deal with Riyadh is on the horizon,

However, the Elaph report blamed Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition partners – specifically Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir – for the decision to freeze the talks.

According to the reports, the Saudis believe that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir will derail any deal that sees the creation of a Palestinian state or land concessions – which are fundamental conditions of the agreement.

On Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry blasted Israel for allowing Jews to visit the Temple Mount compound, which is the holiest site in Judaism, over the Rosh HaShana (Jewish New Year) holiday.

In a public statement, the Saudis framed the presence of Jewish pilgrims for several hours on the Temple Mount as “settlers storming” what they calim is an exclusively Islamic site.