Netanyahu Proposes ‘Gulf Palestinian State’ Amid Silence from Riyadh

In a recent interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the establishment of a Palestinian state within Saudi Arabia, citing the kingdom’s vast territories. This proposal marks a departure from previous suggestions that primarily involved Jordan and Egypt as potential locations for a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu’s remarks were in response to Saudi Arabia’s consistent stance that the establishment of a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel—a condition Netanyahu has firmly opposed. He has repeatedly asserted that the creation of a Palestinian state poses a security threat to Israel, while the international community and Arab nations advocate for a two-state solution to resolve the Middle East conflict.

Why Saudi Arabia?

Netanyahu justified his proposal by highlighting Saudi Arabia’s expansive land area, suggesting it could accommodate a Palestinian state without spatial constraints. Unlike Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia boasts a robust economy capable of supporting such an initiative—a perspective shared by both Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Historically, Palestinians have lost approximately 96% of their ancestral lands to Israeli occupation since 1948, currently retaining only about 4%. The Palestinian leadership, under President Mahmoud Abbas, has expressed willingness to establish a state within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, despite Israeli control over significant portions of these territories. However, Netanyahu remains opposed to any form of Palestinian statehood, regardless of its proposed size or location.

From Netanyahu’s perspective, Saudi Arabia’s geographical distance from Israel makes it a preferable option compared to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, as a Palestinian state within Saudi borders would ostensibly pose less of a security risk to Israel.

A Palestinian Hong Kong?

Unlike previous proposals that involved relocating Palestinians to Egypt or Gaza, either retaining their Palestinian citizenship or acquiring new nationalities, Netanyahu’s suggestion entails the creation of an actual Palestinian state within Saudi Arabia, rather than mere resettlement. He did not clarify whether this proposed state would function independently or operate under a model similar to Hong Kong’s relationship with China.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen extended this idea further, stating that Israel would not oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state on land allocated by an unspecified Arab country, implying open possibilities ranging from the Gulf region to the Maghreb. Cohen emphasized that while Israel rejects the creation of a Palestinian state within its own borders, it would not object if another Arab nation offered territory for this purpose.

Despite Netanyahu’s provocative proposal, Saudi Arabia has maintained its position that normalization of relations with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. A Western diplomatic source, speaking anonymously to “Arabi21,” clarified that reports of breakthroughs in Saudi-Israeli normalization talks are inaccurate, noting that some Israeli media narratives are politically motivated. The source affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its condition that a sovereign Palestinian state must be established before any diplomatic relations with Israel can proceed.

Analysis:

Netanyahu’s proposal to establish a Palestinian state within Saudi Arabia represents a significant shift in the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By suggesting relocation to a non-contiguous territory, this approach challenges the traditional framework of a two-state solution based on historical Palestinian lands.

Critics argue that such proposals undermine Palestinian aspirations for self-determination within their ancestral homeland and fail to address the core issues of displacement and occupation. The idea of relocating an entire population to a different country raises complex questions about national identity, sovereignty, and the right of return.

Saudi Arabia’s continued insistence on the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for normalization with Israel underscores the enduring significance of the Palestinian cause in Arab diplomacy. The kingdom’s silence on Netanyahu’s latest proposal may reflect a strategic choice to avoid engaging with suggestions that deviate from the widely endorsed two-state solution.

In conclusion, while Netanyahu’s proposal introduces a novel dimension to the debate, it is unlikely to gain traction without addressing the fundamental rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. The path to lasting peace in the Middle East remains contingent upon solutions that honor the historical and territorial claims of all parties involved.