Saudi state media launched a fierce attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday over his statements against the kingdom. They also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip and forcibly displace Palestinians from it.
In response to a question regarding Riyadh’s insistence on establishing a Palestinian state as a condition for normalizing relations with Israel, Netanyahu said on Friday, “Saudi Arabia has vast lands where a Palestinian state can be established.”
This statement came just days after Trump expressed his country’s intention to take control of Gaza and relocate its residents to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan, sparking widespread regional and international rejection.
Trump, who took office on January 20, stated that Saudi Arabia no longer requires the establishment of a Palestinian state to normalize relations with Tel Aviv.
Strong Saudi Response
Through two strongly worded statements, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to both Trump and Netanyahu’s remarks.
Early Wednesday, the ministry reaffirmed that “the Kingdom’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering and is not subject to negotiation or bargaining.” The statement further emphasized that “Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without this condition.”
On Sunday, a second statement from the ministry condemned Netanyahu’s comments, labeling them as “extremist and colonial, failing to recognize what Palestinian land means to its people.”
Saudi Media Criticism
On Monday, the Saudi Press Agency continued for the second consecutive day to publish condemnations from Arab and Islamic nations and organizations regarding Netanyahu’s statements. Libya’s Foreign Ministry described his remarks as “hostile and provocative,” while the Muslim World League called them “absurd.”
Through televised reports and social media posts on the platform “X,” the Saudi news channel “Al-Ekhbariya” directed scathing criticism at Netanyahu while rejecting Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians.
The channel echoed statements from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, including: “Palestine is our primary cause, and the Palestinian people’s rights are undeniable,” “Extremist ideology does not comprehend what Palestinian land means to its people,” and “The Palestinian people’s rights remain unshakable.”
With American backing, Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025, resulting in nearly 160,000 Palestinian casualties, mostly women and children, with over 14,000 still missing.
In a televised report, Al-Ekhbariya referred to Netanyahu as “the Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation,” describing him as “a descendant of an extremist Zionist family” and “a hereditary extremist who inherited radicalism genetically.”
The channel further stated: “His grandfather was an extremist, his father was even more so, and he does not believe in peace—only in war as a means to save his political future. He is blindly walking toward an abyss, unknowingly digging his own downfall.”
Saudi Newspapers React
The newspaper “Al-Madina” labeled the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s statement as “a decisive Saudi response to the Israeli entity, setting the record straight.” It further stated: “A gang mentality does not foster coexistence or peace, and Netanyahu’s statements cannot distract from Israel’s crimes.”
On November 21, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
To reaffirm Saudi Arabia’s rejection of Palestinian displacement, Al-Ekhbariya aired a report on Sunday highlighting “the Kingdom’s steadfast position against the Israeli occupation.”
The report featured a speech by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz from 37 years ago, when he was Governor of Riyadh, asserting that “Palestine has always been and will always remain the Kingdom’s foremost cause.”
“A Red Line”
The Monday edition of “Al-Riyadh” newspaper featured a bold headline: “The Kingdom’s Sovereignty is a Red Line,” referring to “an Arab and Islamic outcry against Netanyahu’s statements, reaffirming Palestinian rights.”
Under the headline “The Firm Position,” the newspaper noted that “Saudi Arabia’s support for Palestine dates back to King Abdulaziz Al Saud’s participation in the London Conference in the 1930s.”
The article emphasized that when Netanyahu revived the idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering stance against forced displacement.
In an opinion piece, writer Ali Al-Khashiban asserted that “Israel must realize that any ambition disregarding Palestinian rights will ultimately end in disappointment.”
“No matter how much Israel boasts of its democracy and regional strength, it must understand that the Middle East is not a playground for its aspirations and illusions,” he wrote.
Saudi Arabia’s Firm Stance on Palestine
In an article titled “Saudi Political Rhetoric Against Trump: Palestine Remains Our Central Cause,” journalist Khalid Al-Mutairfi emphasized that “Saudi Arabia responded firmly and swiftly to Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians.”
“This response is rooted in decades of unwavering commitment to Palestine, untainted by bargaining, political pressure, or opportunistic maneuvers,” he wrote.
Al-Mutairfi noted that “Saudi Arabia has transitioned from traditional diplomatic discourse to a more assertive political stance in addressing schemes that seek to undermine the Palestinian cause.”
He added: “In the past, Saudi Arabia focused on balanced diplomatic positions, but today, it does not hesitate to confront existential threats to Palestine head-on.”
This shift in rhetoric, he argued, reflects Saudi Arabia’s awareness of the major challenges facing Palestine and the necessity of adopting a stronger tone against attempts to redraw the Middle East map at the expense of Palestinian rights.
A Dangerous Issue
“The Saudi Position is Clear,” was the headline of an op-ed by journalist Hamoud Abu Talib in “Okaz” newspaper on Monday.
Abu Talib wrote: “Recently, the hope for peace in the region has been undermined by two statements—one from President Trump and the other from Prime Minister Netanyahu—both of which demonstrate an utter disregard for a critical issue at the heart of regional instability.”
“Trump’s plan has already been met with widespread condemnation worldwide,” he added.
“As for Netanyahu’s reckless remarks, they provide clear proof that Israel is not just an occupying power but is governed by a gang that has no interest in peace. The idea of a Palestinian state will never materialize under the rule of these extremist figures.”
Saudi media’s reactions illustrate a broader shift toward a more confrontational stance on Israel’s policies, particularly in the wake of inflammatory statements from Netanyahu and Trump. The Kingdom’s firm rejection of Palestinian displacement and unwavering commitment to Palestinian sovereignty reflect its broader regional strategy.
