APA Images/Shutterstock
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing them as “genocide” at a special Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh. MBS called on Israel to cease its military operations, urging international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and protect Palestinian civilians. Saudi Arabia’s stance reflects its ongoing commitment to the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need for a sustainable peace that includes an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The summit, which gathered leaders from across the Arab and Muslim world, unified regional voices against the violence and underscored a call for urgent humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s Historical View of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Saudi Arabia has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, viewing it as a core issue for the Arab and Muslim worlds. The kingdom’s stance stems from both political and religious considerations, with Islam’s holy sites located in Saudi Arabia and widespread public support for the Palestinian cause across the Arab world. Kingdom, as one of the leaders of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has historically advocated for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.
In 2002, the Kingdom has introduced the Arab Peace Initiative, a comprehensive plan that offered Israel normalization with Arab states in exchange for a full withdrawal from occupied territories and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue. This initiative marked a significant proposal for resolving the conflict and set a foundation for potential diplomatic relations between Israel and the Arab world. However, Israel did not accept these terms, and the initiative did not lead to any substantial progress toward peace. Nonetheless, the Arab Peace Initiative has remained a reference point in Saudi foreign policy and a blueprint for Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Palestinian cause.
Evolving Relations between Saudi and Israel
Although the kingdom has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, recent years have witnessed a quiet warming of relations, particularly due to shared concerns about Iran’s influence in the region. The Iranian government’s support for groups like Hezbollah and its activities in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have created a mutual concern between Israel and Saudi Arabia, leading to a limited degree of coordination and cooperation, especially in the areas of security and intelligence.
This cautious rapprochement gained momentum with the Abraham Accords in 2020, which saw the UAE and Bahrain—two close allies—normalize relations with Israel. The agreements sparked speculation that the Kingdom might eventually follow suit, given the kingdom’s strategic alignment with the U.S. and its support for the accords. However, Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), have maintained that any normalization with Israel must be linked to tangible progress in the Palestinian peace process. Officials have publicly stated that the Kingdom would not establish formal relations with Israel unless there was a viable pathway to Palestinian statehood and respect for their rights.
The Kingdom’s Position in the Ongoing Conflict
The recent escalation in Gaza has brought it’s stance on Israel to the forefront, especially given the severity of civilian casualties and the mounting humanitarian crisis. The kingdom has issued some of its strongest statements to date, condemning Israeli actions and using terms such as “genocide” and “war crimes” to describe the bombing campaigns in Gaza. Saudi authorities have warned of the dangers of escalating violence and have accused Israel of targeting civilians in an indiscriminate manner.
In statements made by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the kingdom expressed deep concern over the “indiscriminate killing” of Palestinians and the “destruction of infrastructure.” The officials have also emphasized that these actions violate international humanitarian laws and have called for immediate international intervention. The government has also taken a strong stance in international forums, working with other Arab and Muslim-majority countries to pressure for a ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s framing of the conflict as a potential “genocide” reflects its commitment to stand by Palestinian civilians and its sensitivity to the demands of its population, who are strongly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. The term “genocide” is a legally and politically charged term that signals the seriousness of Kingdom’s condemnation and places pressure on the international community to respond. It also demonstrates kingdom’s desire to assert its leadership in the Muslim world, particularly as other regional powers, such as Iran and Turkey, have been vocally supportive of the Palestinian cause.
Regional Dynamics and Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
Saudi Arabia’s recent statements come at a critical situation in the West Asia. While the kingdom has made strides in normalizing relations with countries like Israel in recent years, the Gaza crisis has highlighted the limitations and challenges of these warming ties. Public opinion across the Arab world remains deeply pro-Palestinian, and any perceived abandonment of the Palestinian cause risks undermining Saudi Arabia’s influence and leadership in the region. The escalation in Gaza underscores the delicate balancing act between pursuing pragmatic foreign relations with Israel and staying true to its historical and ideological support for Palestine.
Saudi Arabia’s response also signals a desire to differentiate itself from the approaches of other Arab countries, like the UAE and Bahrain, which have formalized relations with Israel. The kingdom’s statements show a reluctance to fully embrace normalization without addressing the Palestinian issue, a stance that resonates with its populace and positions Saudi Arabia as a guardian of the Palestinian cause. This nuanced approach allows Saudi Arabia to maintain an open channel with Israel while also strengthening its standing in the Arab and Muslim worlds by advocating for Palestinian rights.
Saudi Arabia’s Humanitarian Support for Palestinians
Kingdom has taken practical steps to support the Palestinian people amid the crisis, providing humanitarian aid through organizations such as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief). The organization has coordinated relief efforts, providing food, medical supplies, and other essential goods to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. This humanitarian support highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to assisting Palestinians, even as it navigates the political challenges of the conflict.
Finally, Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Gaza conflict underscores the complexity of its relationship with Israel and its commitment to the Palestinian cause. While Saudi Arabia has shown a willingness to engage with Israel on a pragmatic level, particularly regarding shared security concerns, it has refrained from formalizing relations due to its longstanding commitment to Palestinian rights. The kingdom’s strong condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza reflects both the widespread public support for the Palestinian cause in Saudi Arabia and its role as a leader in the Arab and Muslim worlds.
