File photo: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announces a prisoners' release and ceasefire agreement in the Israeli war on Gaza, at a press conference. AFP
In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urged the international community to take firm action against Israeli “provocations.”
“Qatar strongly condemns the Israeli prime minister’s provocative statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry said, describing the remarks as “a blatant violation of international law and a flagrant breach of the UN Charter.”
Netanyahu had said in an interview on Thursday: “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.” His comments came in response to a question about Saudi Arabia making the establishment of a Palestinian state a precondition for normalising ties with Israel.
The remarks sparked strong condemnation across the Arab world, with Egypt asserting that Saudi Arabia's security and sovereignty were a "red line" for Cairo that would not be crossed. The Arab League described the statements as evidence of "a complete detachment from reality."
Other nations and regional blocs also denounced the comments. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called them "dangerous and irresponsible," saying they reflected Israel's disregard for "international laws and treaties, as well as the sovereignty of nations."
The Israeli premier made the remarks while visiting Washington, where he appeared alongside US President Donald Trump. Earlier in the week, Trump sparked outrage by suggesting the US would “take over” Gaza, forcibly displace its Palestinian population and turn the strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Netanyahu also claimed that the normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia was “imminent.” Shortly after, a Saudi press statement reaffirmed that the kingdom’s stance on Palestinian statehood “remains firm and unwavering.”
Doha rejected any calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians, warning that such proposals would undermine peace efforts and fuel tensions in the region.
Qatar’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its longstanding support for Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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