Jordan slams remarks on Palestinian state on Saudi land

AMMAN  — The Foreign Ministry on Sunday strongly condemned Israeli statements opposing the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent and sovereign state on their national soil. 

The ministry also denounced calls advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory, labelling such statements as incitement that constitutes a "blatant" violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and state sovereignty.  

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah stressed that the Israeli government continues to pursue provocative policies and statements that undermine state sovereignty and international law.

He also reiterated Jordan’s rejection of such "inflammatory" and "anti-peace" remarks, warning that they fuel further escalation in the region.  

Qudah reiterated Jordan’s full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia, calling on the international community to condemn and reject these irresponsible statements.  

He also noted that "Israel's actions cannot cover the reality that the continuation of occupation and violations of Palestinian rights remain the root cause of the conflict in the region."

The official also stressed that the establishment of an independent and sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only condition for achieving regional security, peace and stability.  

Qudah also stressed the need to stop all Israeli escalatory measures in the occupied West Bank, including ongoing raids, settlement expansion and land confiscation.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries condemned on Sunday remarks by Israel's prime minister who appeared to suggest in an interview that a Palestinian state could be established on Saudi territory.

Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, which some Israeli media characterised as a joke, came with the region already on edge after US President Donald Trump proposed taking over the territory and displacing Gazans abroad, AFP reported.

Arab League Chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Sunday that the thinking behind Netanyahu's remarks "is unacceptable and reflects a complete detachment from reality", adding that such ideas "are nothing more than mere fantasies or illusions".

The Saudi foreign ministry stressed its "categorical rejection to such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian brothers in Gaza," according to AFP.

A ministry statement welcomed "the condemnation, disapproval and total rejection announced by the brotherly countries towards what Benjamin Netanyahu stated regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people".

In a television interview on Thursday, right-wing Israeli journalist Yaakov Bardugo was discussing with Netanyahu the prospect of diplomatic normalisation with Saudi Arabia when he appeared to misspeak, attributing to Riyadh the stance that there would be "no progress without a Saudi state".