Saudi Arabia: Foreign Minister says relations with Israel are not possible until peace is established with the Palestinians

Saudi Arabia has said that diplomatic relations with Israel cannot be established unless Israel signs an internationally recognized peace agreement with the Palestinians. This statement by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is the first formal response from Saudi Arabia to the peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Last week, the UAE became the first Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. The peace deal between the two countries has been brokered by the United States and was first announced by President Trump in a tweet.

US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi said in a joint statement last Thursday that the agreement would allow Israel to annex more territory in occupied West Bank to Israel. Following the agreement, it was hoped that other countries, including Saudi Arabia, would sign similar agreements with Israel.

Prince Faisal said the “unilateral policies” of Israeli integration and resettlement in the occupied West Bank were “harmful” and “illegal” for a two-state solution. He said the condition for establishing relations was “peace with the Palestinians” under international agreements and “once that happens, everything else is possible.” Addressing a press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Moss in the German capital Berlin, he once again criticized Israel.