Saudi Arabia hosted the first gathering of the “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution,” a coalition created by Riyadh to advance the establishment of a Palestinian state.
During the event, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan accused Israel of “genocide” in response to its military actions against the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah. While the Biden administration sent a State Department envoy to participate, there was no indication at the time of reporting that the U.S. had taken a leading role in the meeting.
Saudi Arabia’s creation of the “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution” marks a notable shift in its stance on Israel, contrasting with its prior movement toward potential normalization under former U.S. President Donald Trump. During Trump’s term, Saudi-U.S. cooperation on counterterrorism increased significantly, exemplified by the 2017 establishment of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology and Saudi actions against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
While Biden’s diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia continued, MBS refrained from fully pursuing normalization with Israel until the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which led to around 1,200 civilian deaths and extensive violence. Shortly after, MBS began publicly advocating for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital—a stance he had not prominently addressed in previous remarks about potential diplomatic ties with Israel.
Saudi Arabia officially launched the “Global Alliance to Implement a Two-State Solution” in late September, during the United Nations General Assembly. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal described the alliance as a collaborative initiative with European countries and members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Prince Faisal’s remarks at the first meeting of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution emphasized Saudi Arabia’s stance against what he described as Israel’s “systematic destruction, forced displacement, and use of starvation as a weapon.” He condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “catastrophic,” and accused Israel of “genocide” aimed at displacing the Palestinian people. Faisal's statements did not, however, address the violent objectives of groups like Hezbollah, whose current leader Naim Qassem had recently stated that a ceasefire with Israel would only be possible if Israel’s population were entirely expelled.
Prince Faisal also highlighted that nearly 90 countries had joined the alliance’s meeting, which would also focus on defending the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinians, despite Israeli concerns over UNRWA’s reported links to Hamas operations in Gaza. Additionally, Saudi Arabia plans to host an “Arab-Islamic summit” on November 11, intended to address “countering Israeli aggression,” according to reports from the National.
This stance represents a significant departure from Saudi Arabia’s previous approach, including as recently as September 2023, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed interest in strengthening relations with Israel. In a Fox News interview, he highlighted the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue to facilitate Middle Eastern stability and cooperation, signaling a more open attitude toward Israel.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has recently intensified Saudi Arabia’s support for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, notably at a November 2023 BRICS coalition event where he condemned Israel's military response to Hamas’s attacks. MBS called for an immediate halt to military operations and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to support civilians, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s “categorical rejection” of actions that harm non-combatants.
In his statements, MBS reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, indicating that establishing diplomatic ties with Israel depends on achieving this outcome. This is a shift from earlier comments where MBS did not make Palestinian statehood a precondition for peace. His pledge, first made in September, underscores Saudi Arabia's stance that normalization with Israel will not occur without an independent Palestinian state.
The kingdom’s position on the Palestinian Authority (PA) has also evolved. Previously critical of the PA’s leadership, which some, including former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, labeled as corrupt and a barrier to regional progress, Saudi Arabia’s relations with the PA have warmed since the October 7 attacks. Following nearly eight years of frozen support, Saudi Arabia has resumed funding the PA, with reports suggesting that Riyadh could contribute up to $60 million to the entity, signaling a strategic realignment in its support for Palestinian governance.