MBS said he personally 'doesn't care' about Palestinian issue

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he doesn’t have a personal interest in the “Palestinian issue,” although he acknowledged its importance to the Saudi people, reported by The Atlantic.

This conversation reportedly took place in January during a meeting in the Saudi city of al-Ula, amidst ongoing negotiations about normalizing ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The report, published on Wednesday, highlights 11 months of U.S. diplomacy that continued even after the outbreak of war in Gaza.

Citing high-level sources from both the U.S. and the Middle East, the report reveals the crown prince’s concerns about stability in Gaza if normalization with Israel were to move forward. During the meeting, bin Salman expressed a desire for peace in Gaza and responded cautiously when Blinken asked about Israeli military actions, suggesting such operations could occur, but not during delicate diplomatic processes.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that a large portion of Saudi Arabia’s younger population, unfamiliar with the complexities of the Palestinian issue, is only now engaging with it due to the current conflict.

He acknowledged that while he doesn’t personally prioritize the issue, it matters to the Saudi people, and therefore needs to be addressed meaningfully.

However, a Saudi official dismissed this version of the meeting as inaccurate. Publicly, the crown prince has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not formalize relations with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a recent address to the Shura Council in Riyadh, MBS reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting an independent Palestinian state. He stated that normalization with Israel would only occur if this condition is met.

The report also suggested that Saudi Arabia is seeking a mutual defense treaty with the U.S. as part of any normalization deal, a move that would require U.S. Senate approval.

Despite increasing discussions around normalization, bin Salman expressed personal concerns about the potential risks, including the possibility of facing opposition similar to the fate of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated after signing a peace deal with Israel.

The report emerges as public opinion in Saudi Arabia remains overwhelmingly critical of Israel. Polls during the ongoing Gaza conflict indicated that over 90% of Saudis believe Arab nations should sever ties with Israel.

Nonetheless, the Saudi government has reportedly taken a strict stance on public displays of Palestinian solidarity, with reports of individuals being detained for such expressions.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a senior Saudi royal, downplayed the notion that these restrictions were widespread, stating he hadn’t personally experienced limitations on expressing support for Palestine.

He also expressed skepticism about the impact of the recent Hamas attack on the future of Saudi-Israeli relations, emphasizing that such actions were likely planned long in advance.

While US-led negotiations continue, the path to normalization remains unclear, with Israel’s firm stance against the establishment of a Palestinian state presenting a significant obstacle, according to Prince Turki.