By Mark Longyen

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says it has “unequivocally rejected” Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, a Palestine territory.

A statement from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saudi Arabia was vehemently opposed to the idea, and would rather continue its efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state.

Saudi Arabia stressed that Palestinians would “not move” from their land and it would not normalise ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on Sept. 18, 2024.

“His Royal Highness emphasised that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the statement said.

It further said that the Crown Prince and Prime Minister also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024.

The ministry emphasised the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

The Saudi government also urged more peace-loving countries to recognise the State of Palestine, noting the importance of mobilising the international community to support the Palestinian people’s rights.

According to the ministry, this is in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognising Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

“The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasises that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises,” the statement further said.

“Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Trump had told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, alongside the visiting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the U.S. was mulling the takeover of Gaza.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a good job with it too.

“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings.

“Palestinians living in Gaza would have to be relocated to create the ‘Riviera of the Middle East,’ as they will be housed in Jordan, Egypt and other countries,” he said.

Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population has been displaced by the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas.

NAN also reports that Trump’s proposal, which was his first major remarks on his Middle East foreign policy has shattered decades of U.S. thinking on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu