Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a stern condemnation Wednesday of Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s statements asserting full sovereignty for Israel over the West Bank, calling his statements illegal and detrimental to regional peace. They labeled such statements as violations of international law that imperil regional stability.
Riyadh Rejects Minister Levin’s Call
Riyadh issued a strongly worded statement condemning and denouncing Minister Levin’s statement as violating international legal norms; any attempt at exerting sovereignty over Palestinian territory would violate established international legal norms (Reuters.com +5, arabnews.com+5 and other sites).
Riyadh reiterated its objection to any efforts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, condemning any attempts and calling on Israel to adhere to U.N. Security Council resolutions regarding their status, whilst insisting it not violate U.N. Security Council resolutions
Since 1967 and following its Six-Day War victory, Israel has maintained control of West Bank and East Jerusalem under international law and built settlements there which many consider illegal.
On Wednesday, Israel’s right-wing minister Yoav Levin caused further unease when he declared that formal sovereignty over the West Bank must come sooner rather than later, according to Arabnews.com and Reuter’s.com (reuters +4 = arabnews +4).
Saudi Support for Palestinians
In its statement released today, Saudi Arabia once more reiterated its unwavering commitment to Palestinian self-determination, which includes creating a sovereign Palestinian state within 1967’s boundaries with East Jerusalem as its capital (en.wikipedia.org, arabnews.com and english.wafa.ps).
The Saudi ministry noted that only adhering to international law and U.N. resolutions provides a path toward lasting peace in the region.
Saudi Arabian’s Rebuke at an Important Moment
Riyadh’s public statement came at an important juncture – at a time when Riyadh had been making discreet efforts to normalize relations with Israel through US mediation, contingent upon meaningful progress towards creating a Palestinian state. The kingdom insisted this normalization must depend on tangible steps towards peace between Israeli and Palestinian citizens of that territory.
The ministerial warning may increase Israeli-Palestinian tensions and hinder any potential normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
What Are Our Next Steps
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation sets off increased diplomatic pressure. Arab League partners and countries who support their Arab Peace Initiative could join in and oppose unilateral annexation measures by Iran.
Riyadh’s response also signaled potential recalibration of U.S.-Saudi and wider Gulf strategies regarding Israel-Palestine. Any attempt at annexation could thwart progress toward normalization and trigger regional tensions.
Saudi Arabia’s announcement should enable Palestinian leadership to mobilize international support and reinforce legal arguments against any attempts at annexation.
Saudi Arabia’s criticism of Levin is not simply rhetoric; rather, it demonstrates deep discontent within the Arab world at unilateral Israeli actions that undermine a two-state solution. Should Annexation continue unabated, Riyadh appears willing to abandon normalization efforts and escalate diplomatic resistance efforts in response.