Saudi Arabia will not recognise Israel without Palestinian state, says Crown Prince
MBS condemned the "crimes of the Israeli occupation" against the Palestinian people


Dubai (Reuters): Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday said the kingdom would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state and strongly condemned the "crimes of the Israeli occupation" against the Palestinian people.
"The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that," the crown prince, known as MbS, said.
After the eruption of war last October between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas that rules Gaza, Saudi Arabia put on ice U.S.-backed plans for the kingdom to normalise ties with Israel, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said earlier this year, in a swift reordering of its diplomatic priorities.
MbS, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, had said just weeks before the fighting broke out that Riyadh was getting closer to a deal.
The two sources told Reuters there would be some delay in the U.S.-backed talks on normalisation of Saudi-Israel ties, which is seen as a key step for the kingdom to secure what it considers the real prize of a U.S. defence pact in exchange.
MbS made the remarks at an annual speech to the advisory Shura Council, which he gave on behalf of his father, King Salman.
The council swore an oath of office before MbS on Wednesday before he addressed it.

Day marks year’s longest day, shortest night
- 4 hours ago

Military killed head of Palestine corps in IRCG’s overseas arm: Israeli defence minister
- 16 minutes ago

Israel targets Iran’s nuclear site in Isfahan in latest attacks
- 2 hours ago

Pakistan's first successful liver transplant for colon cancer patient
- 2 hours ago

Number of Israeli spies arrested in Iran rises to 22
- an hour ago

Punjab's budget: Shift towards public welfare
- an hour ago

US imposes new sanctions on 20 Iranian entities
- 20 minutes ago

Muharram: Section 144 imposed in Punjab
- 3 hours ago

Melbourne Stars tells reason behind picking Harris Rauf again
- an hour ago

Woman allegedly raped in Muzaffargarh police station
- 2 hours ago

Two more Congo virus cases reported in KP, number rises to 9
- an hour ago

Benazir Bhutto's 72nd birthday today
- 2 hours ago