Saudi Arabia criticizes proposal to accept Palestinian state

(CLO) Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to use its territory to establish a Palestinian state.

In a statement on Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry accused Mr Netanyahu of trying to "distract" public opinion from the "crimes" Israel is committing in the Gaza Strip, including alleged "ethnic cleansing".

Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: X

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stressed that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or migrants who can be expelled whenever the Israeli occupation forces want.

On Thursday, while giving an interview on Israel's Channel 14, the host accidentally said "the state of Saudi Arabia" instead of "the state of Palestine."

Netanyahu responded: "The Saudis could create a Palestinian state on their territory; they have a lot of land." The host also suggested that this was an idea worth considering.

The remarks have sparked strong protests from Arab countries including Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Iraq, as well as from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

"These dangerous and irresponsible statements clearly demonstrate the Israeli occupation's approach, as it continuously disregards international law and UN treaties as well as the sovereignty of other countries," GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also thanked "brotherly countries" for condemning Netanyahu's remarks.

Talks over the future of Palestinians in Gaza have intensified following a shock proposal from US President Donald Trump, in which he suggested that the US should “control” and “own” Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere – a move that could be seen as “ethnic cleansing”.

Mr Trump's proposal comes at a time when the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is in a fragile phase, and has been strongly criticised by Arab leaders.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed at least 61,700 Palestinians, including some 18,000 children, and destroyed much of the enclave's infrastructure. More than 14,000 people are still missing and presumed dead.

Cao Phong (according to AJ, The Guardian)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/a-rap-xe-ut-chi-trich-de-xuat-cua-thu-tuong-israel-ve-viec-tiep-nhan-nha-nuoc-palestine-post333791.html