ISLAMABAD: Pakistan strongly condemned in unequivocal terms the recent statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting that the Palestinian people should establish a state in Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in an official statement on Sunday said that the Israeli remark is irresponsible, provocative, and thoughtless, which is not only deeply offensive but also undermines and disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent State on their own historical and legitimate territory.
Senator Dar said that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commends its steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their just cause. Any attempt to undermine Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position and misrepresentation of its commitment to the Palestinian cause is deeply regrettable.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Dar said Pakistan firmly believes that the Palestinian people have an inalienable right to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Any proposal that seeks to displace or relocate the Palestinian people from their ancestral homeland is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law, United Nations resolutions, and the principles of justice and fairness.
He said that the Government of Pakistan reiterates its unflinching support for the Palestinian cause and will continue to work closely with Saudi Arabia and other members of the international community to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people and to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.
Pakistan urges the international community to denounce this provocative remark and hold Israel accountable for its continued attempts to undermine the peace process.
International Rejections
Saudi Arabia on Sunday rejected the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement said that it rejected “such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian brothers in Gaza, including the ethnic cleansing they are subjected to.”
In a statement, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also “strongly condemned” Netanyahu’s statement.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said in a statement that “these dangerous and irresponsible statements confirm the approach of the Israeli occupation forces in their lack of respect for international laws and treaties, as well as the sovereignty of nations”.
Egypt earlier condemned as “irresponsible” statements by Israeli officials suggesting establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi territory, with its Foreign Ministry emphasising that the suggestion was a “direct infringement of Saudi sovereignty.” It added that the Kingdom’s security was a “red line for Egypt.”
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry described the Israeli remarks as “inflammatory and a clear violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and state sovereignty.”
Qatar also condemned Netanyahu’s comment suggesting establishing a Palestinian state inside Saudi territory, the Qatari foreign ministry said in a statement.
Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, described Netanyahu’s statement as “provocative.”
The UAE also strongly condemned Netanyahu’s “reprehensible and provocative” statements regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia and “affirmed its categorical rejection of these unacceptable statements.”
