Pakistan condemns Netanyahu’s remarks on Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks suggesting Palestinians establish a state in Saudi Arabia.

“This remark is irresponsible, provocative, and thoughtless,” Dar said in a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

Netanyahu appeared to be joking when he responded to a television interviewer who mistakenly said “Saudi state” instead of “Palestinian state” before correcting himself. Israeli officials have suggested the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory.

Dar said the remark was “deeply offensive” and disregarded the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent state on their own land.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia, commending its firm stance on the Palestinian cause. “Any attempt to misrepresent Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Palestine is deeply regrettable,” the statement said.

Pakistan believes Palestinians have an “inalienable right” to an independent state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, Dar added. He rejected any plan to displace Palestinians, calling it a violation of international law and UN resolutions.

Pakistan urged the international community to denounce Netanyahu’s statement and hold Israel accountable for “undermining the peace process.”

Saudi Arabia also condemned the remarks, affirming its “categorical rejection” of Netanyahu’s statement. However, its foreign ministry did not directly mention the suggestion of a Palestinian state on Saudi territory.

Egypt and Jordan also denounced the remarks. Cairo called the idea a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty.”

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also strongly condemned Netanyahu’s statement. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called it “dangerous and irresponsible,” accusing Israel of disregarding international law and regional sovereignty.

The condemnation comes amid heightened tensions over the fate of Palestinians in Gaza. A recent proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Washington could “take over the Gaza Strip” and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling Palestinians elsewhere.

Arab states have strongly rejected Trump’s remarks. Saudi Arabia has insisted it will not normalize ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state.

Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 people, according to Gaza authorities. The war began after Hamas fighters launched an attack on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Telephone call with Turkey FM

Meanwhile, FM Dar also spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan today to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza, according to Foreign Office.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to an independent, sovereign, and contiguous state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He voiced serious concern over proposals to displace Palestinians, stressing that their land belongs to them and rejecting any attempt to alter this reality.

Both ministers agreed to back the convening of an Extraordinary OIC Ministerial meeting to address the crisis. They also pledged to stay in close contact in the coming days.