Saudi Arabia Shocks Trump, Refuses Ties with Country—Is It a Failure?

Israel-Hamas war:  In yet another setback to US President Donald Trump’s Middle East policy, and attempts to repair relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, two prominent US allies in the region, Riyadh has announced that the Kingdom, which is rich in oil, will not be able to establish relations with Tel Aviv unless an independent State of Palestine is created.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the country’s position on the creation of Palestinian state has always been and will always be “unyielding and resolute” and also recalled the comments made by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the address that He gave at the Opening of the 1st session of the 9th term of teh Shura Council on September 18 last year.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the creation of a Palestinian state is constant. His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister repeated this position during his address on the occasion of the opening of the first sitting of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024. His Royal Highness also noted that Saudi Arabia shall continue to pursue these objectives without relenting by seeking to establish an independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem and will not normalize relations with Israel without that,” read the statement by Riyadh, hours after Donald Trump declared that the United States will “take control” of Gaza Strip.

Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Palestinian state

“At a joint press conference with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump commented, ‘The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling… the dangers of unexploded bombs and getting rid of the destroyed buildings. Additionally, we can create an economic development that will supply an unlimited number of jobs and houses for the people of the area.'” 

The American president also stressed that the ongoing hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas marks a major turning point toward peace within the region. 

He said, “I’m hopeful that reaching this ceasefire could be the starting point of a larger and more sustaining peace that will end the bloodshed. With this in mind, my administration has been moving quickly to restore trust in the alliance and rebuild American strength throughout the region.”

Netanyahu hails Israel’s ‘greatest friend’ Trump, who has repeatedly shown unwavering support for Israel since he assumed office. While criticizing the previous American President’s actions during his term, Trump showed immense support towards Israel and did all he could to create positive relations between the two superpowers. Following the operational success of the Israeli military, Trump was awarded with the highest medal a foreign leader can receive from Israel.  
This is a friendship that profoundly appeals to the citizens of Israel as they have known and have seen how the relationship has prospered for the benefit of both nations.  
  
Netanyahu’s statements showcase the aid and publicity he gave to Trump, praising him on international television. While this may proove to be valuable for one side, it does leave the question unsolved — what did the Trump administration gain in return.