In what has been described as a bold statement from Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia yesterday reiterated its stance about the Palestinian imbroglio, saying the statehood of Palestine is a major precondition to establishing diplomatic ties with Israel.
This is according to a report from Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Wednesday, and made available to Diplomat Nigeria Newspaper by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja, citing statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
H.E Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria
Faisal bin Ebraheem Alghamdi
The statement said: “The Kingdom has communicated its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognized on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
The report says, diplomatic relations is only possible unless“Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
It says: “The Kingdom reiterates its call to the permanent members of the UN Security Council that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state, to expedite the recognition of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, so that the Palestinian people can obtain their legitimate rights and so that a comprehensive and just peace is achieved for all.”
The official note addressed comments attributed to US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, without outlining his remarks.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that “Kirby said that the Biden administration has received positive feedback that Saudi Arabia and Israel are willing to continue to have normalization discussions.”
In an exclusive interview with Diplomat Nigeria Newspaper, Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullahi Abu Shawesh urged countries in the region and around the world to step up their games stop the killings of Palestinians.
Israel Pounds Gaza
Nigeria, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, has maintained its position of Two-State solution where both Israel and Palestine live together in peace and harmony.
In proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Republic of South Africa is alleging that Israel is responsible for violations of the Genocide Convention in respect of its actions taken in Gaza, allegations which Israel rejects.
Last week, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) expressed gratitude over the recent judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the case of genocide brought against Israel by the Republic of South Africa, describing Israel action as horrific and merciless killing and destruction of Palestinians in Gaza.
