ALBAWABA- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Palestinian sovereignty, suggesting that Palestinians should establish their state in Saudi Arabia instead of their homeland.
"The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there," Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli Channel 14 on Thursday, rejecting the long-standing Palestinian demand for self-determination.
When asked whether a Palestinian state was necessary for normalization with Saudi Arabia, he outright rejected the idea, calling it a “security threat to Israel.” Referring to Hamas-led Gaza, he stated, "There was a Palestinian state, it was called Gaza. Look what we got."
Despite his dismissal of Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu expressed confidence in an imminent normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, claiming, "I think peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only feasible, I think it's going to happen."
His remarks come as Saudi Arabia publicly condemned a U.S. proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians, further straining normalization efforts.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated that diplomatic ties with Israel would not be established unless an independent Palestinian state was recognized—an insistence Netanyahu continues to disregard.
The interview took place while Netanyahu was in Washington, D.C., where he appeared alongside U.S. President Donald Trump. During their joint press conference, Trump proposed a controversial redevelopment plan for Gaza, suggesting the U.S. could "take over" the enclave and resettle Palestinians elsewhere.
He later insisted no American troops would be involved. Trump’s proposal and Netanyahu’s comments have sparked widespread international condemnation.
