Saudi Arabia, MBS adamant on Palestinian state before Israel normalization: Blinken

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is adamant about having a Palestinian state as part of any deal to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, the top US diplomat has said, adding that this was the key to long-term stability in the Middle East and one that would ensure Israel’s security.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a Gaza ceasefire was necessary first. But after that, the focus would need to be on the long-term stability of the region, which would include Israel’s security. “And, of course, the key to that is the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia,” he said in an interview with Foreign Affairs published on Wednesday, expressing hope that the incoming Trump administration would get such a deal done.

“But in order for that to happen, we need calm in Gaza – and that’s clear from the Saudis – but we also need a credible pathway to a Palestinian state,” Blinken said.

Despite several reports over the last year, including as recently as this week, that Saudi Arabia is willing to ease its demands in exchange for normalization, Riyadh has repeatedly been consistent in its stance demanding a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

It is estimated that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombardment since last October, when Israel’s military began bombing Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

The Israelis have also routinely blocked humanitarian aid from getting into the enclave, which has culminated in a recent warning from the US that if more aid does not get in, the US may take specific measures in response.

Washington and the Biden administration have largely been criticized for failing to curb Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 and prevent what many have referred to as a genocide against the Palestinian people.

“To the extent that Saudi Arabia insisted on that before Oct. 7, it’s now even more convinced. And I’ve heard this directly from MBS, from Mohammed bin Salman, about his views on the necessity of having a clear and credible pathway to a state,” Blinken said.

He added that 70 percent of the Saudi population is younger than the crown prince. “They’ve seen what’s happened since Oct. 7 in Gaza. They’re seized with this. Populations around the region are seized with this. So, I think the premium on that is there,” Blinken said.

Nevertheless, Blinken said Israelis were not ready for discussions about a Palestinian state, citing the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. He also highlighted the trauma that Palestinians have gone through over the last year. “But when there is an end to the conflict in Gaza, when people are able to take a little bit of distance and look at the long term and how they can best assure their security, I think this pathway will become more credible again,” he said.

Asked if there was a situation where there would be a one-state solution, Blinken pointed to the 7 million Israelis and 5 million Palestinians. “Neither is going anywhere… And I think if you look at what the possibilities are for how they coexist, as opposed to resist, you still come back to two states, and the Palestinians deserve self-determination and a state of their own.”

While Israel should not accept a Palestinian state based on resistance, Blinken said, there is a strong opportunity to have a time-bound and conditions-based pathway to a Palestinian state.

“Palestinians have to know that there is going to be the realization of a state within a certain period of time. Israelis have to know that that can only come about if certain conditions are met that really assure Israel’s security,” the top US diplomat said.