Only Palestine's statehood will ensure security in Middle East: Saudi

Davos: Saudi ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar said on Thursday that only the Palestinians getting their own state will ensure security in the Middle East, Arab News reported.

The princess was speaking at the World Economic Forum here in a Saudi-focused panel discussion. She added that Saudi Arabia fully recognizes Israel's wish for security after the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

She continued that the said security would not come at the expense of Palestinian people's safety, but an immediate ceasefire is also needed.

She said that there should not be any deaths, bloodshed, and loss of livelihoods. Her Kingdom condemned violence by both Hamas and Israel, she said.

According to her, the entire Middle East is united in need of peace in Gaza since the Gazan people are in "daily shock". She acknowledged that Palestine is going through a chaotic time and added that it is important that the right thing should be done for the future.

Further, she said that since Israel keeps killing Palestinians, the talk of normalization of relations with Israel is not possible. She said that Saudi wishes for peace in Palestine but also statehood for the Palestinian people.

"That is a responsibility we take seriously," Arab News quoted Princess Reema.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined any chances for statehood for Palestine. He said that such a solution would not guarantee Israel's security. He said that in any arrangement in the foreseeable future, with or without an accord, Israel must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River, India Today reported.

"That's a necessary condition. It clashes with the principle of sovereignty, but what can you do," India Today quoted the Israeli premier.