U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have threatened to permanently expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Amid these statements, Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes, has even suggested relocating Gazans to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has reacted angrily to these remarks. The country’s media outlets have been consistently criticizing Netanyahu and Trump. Additionally, the Saudi government has issued a strongly worded statement. The most significant aspect is that Saudi Arabia has softened its stance toward the Palestinian armed group Hamas, which it previously considered an enemy and a terrorist organization.
On Wednesday (February 12), Middle East-based news outlet The New Arab reported this development.
According to the report, Saudi media outlets previously followed the country’s foreign policy, but now they are openly speaking against Israel.
Shortly after Netanyahu made a ridiculous proposal about establishing a separate Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement. The ministry stated, “These are the words of extremists and occupiers who fail to recognize the importance of the Palestinian people in their homeland.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry further stated that Netanyahu is trying to divert attention from the genocide and forced displacement that Israel has attempted in Gaza.
The ministry added, “Palestinians have a legitimate right to their land. They are not outsiders or immigrants who can be expelled at Israel’s will.”
A prominent analyst on Saudi Arabia’s influential news channel Al-Ikhbariya TV said, “The word ‘state’ no longer fits with Israel.” However, just two years ago, Saudi Arabia was attempting to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
Al-Ikhbariya fiercely criticized Netanyahu, calling him a “Zionist and the son of Zionists.” They also stated, “There is only one face of occupation, and that is Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya questioned Netanyahu’s mental health, suggesting that his proposal might stem from psychological issues.
Saudi media’s stance toward Hamas has also suddenly changed. Previously, they labeled Hamas as a terrorist organization, but now they have published two statements from Hamas regarding Gaza.
Recently, the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat published a statement from Hamas senior leader Izzat al-Rishq.
Saudi writer Nawaf Al-Qudaimi described this as “an extraordinary moment.” He stated that Saudi Arabia could now establish a symbolic relationship with Hamas and might even allow Hamas leaders to perform Umrah during the upcoming Ramadan.