Mahmoud Abbas praises Saudi Crown Prince’s firm stance on Palestinian statehood, rejection of ties with Israel

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised the “courageous and strong” remarks made by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who rejected the idea of establishing relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

“The Kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” Bin Salman told Saudi Arabia’s Shura (Consultative) Council.

While reacting to the statement, Abbas expressed his “utmost appreciation” for Saudi Arabia’s stance, describing the Crown Prince’s remarks as “courageous and strong.”

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He said the statement confirmed the “strength of the unified Arab and Islamic position supporting the legitimate rights” of the Palestinian people. “We welcome such support for our efforts to stop the ongoing aggression against our people, our land, and our holy sites, and ending the Israeli occupation of the land of Palestine,” Abbas said.

President Abbas extended the Palestinian people and leadership’s gratitude to Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince for their unwavering support, particularly in international forums through the Kingdom’s chairmanship of the Arab-Islamic Committee.

“These steadfast Saudi positions… are a continuation of the policy supporting the rights of our people and their struggle for freedom and independence in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,” Abbas added.