Bahrain joined Arab countries in condemning yesterday ‘irresponsible’ remarks by Israel’s prime minister who appeared to suggest in an interview that a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi territory.
The kingdom considered the statements a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
A statement by the Foreign Ministry emphasised Bahrain’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and support for its security, stability and sovereignty.
It stressed that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East depends on safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people, preventing their displacement, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty, enabling peaceful coexistence with Israel in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Israeli officials have suggested the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory. Netanyahu appeared to be joking on Thursday when he responded to an interviewer on pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 who mistakenly said “Saudi state” instead of “Palestinian state”, before correcting himself.
Saudi Arabia affirmed its categorical rejection of remarks by Benjamin Netanyahu about displacing Palestinians from their land, the foreign ministry said.
While the Saudi statement mentioned Netanyahu’s name, it did not directly refer to the comments about establishing a Palestinian state in Saudi territory.
Egypt and Jordan also condemned the Israeli suggestions, with Cairo deeming the idea as a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty”.
Qatar described Netanyahu’s statement as “provocative”.
Saudi Arabia said it valued “brotherly” states’ rejection of Netanyahu’s remarks.
“This occupying extremist mindset does not comprehend what the Palestinian territory means for the brotherly people of Palestine and its conscientious, historical and legal association with that land,” it said.
The UAE also strongly condemned and denounced Netanyahu’s “reprehensible and provocative” statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia and “affirmed its categorical rejection of these unacceptable statements.”
Jassim Al Budaiwi, the GCC secretary-general, condemned the Israeli statements, describing them as “dangerous and irresponsible.”
He noted that the GCC countries strongly supported Saudi Arabia’s advocacy for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders.
Kuwaiti also rejected Netanyahu’s statements and expressed its support for Saudi Arabia in defense of its stability and sovereignty.
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