Ahead of UN debate: Saudi Arabia insists on Palestinian state as price for normalization

After internal disagreements, the Arab and Muslim states have expressed support for the American draft resolution that will be submitted to the UN Security Council, Kan News reported this Sunday.

A diplomat from one of the Gulf states told Kan News that once the Americans included the issue of a Palestinian state in the revised Security Council proposal, all the relevant Arab and Muslim countries suddenly aligned with it – even though there is still no agreement on the details regarding the multinational force that would be stationed in Gaza.

It was also reported this evening that Israeli officials believe the chances of influencing the Security Council’s decision are very low. In Jerusalem, the expectation is that the Palestinian Authority will not carry out the reforms required of it – and therefore a Palestinian state will not be established.

Regarding Israel–Saudi relations in light of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, another Arab diplomat said that the impression is that Saudi Arabia still firmly insists on the establishment of a Palestinian state as a condition for normalization with Israel, and is not interested in giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu any “gifts.”

According to the diplomat, the Saudis cannot move forward with normalization unless something is given to the Palestinians, since if nothing is offered, the kingdom’s leading status in the Arab and Muslim world would be harmed. However, he added that if there were enormous pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, “there could be surprises – but the likelihood is low.”

In the draft proposal that the U.S. administration is promoting for the establishment of a multinational force in Gaza to stabilize the Strip the day after the war, the following appears: “Once the Palestinian Authority’s reform plan is implemented […] conditions may exist for a credible path to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The United States will hold a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.”

Today, many statements were heard promising that no Palestinian state would be established. However, the language the U.S. administration is promoting in tomorrow’s Security Council vote is exactly the same language that Israel adopted – under Trump’s initiative.

Uncertainty surrounding the advancement of an F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia

Kan News reported that Israel’s defense establishment has not yet been asked to address the possibility of the United States selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, and that no discussion on the issue has taken place.

In past years, various ideas were considered to mitigate the consequences of transferring such advanced weapons to Saudi hands – and the potential erosion of Israel’s technological military edge in the Middle East – such as providing downgraded capabilities or compensating Israel with other advanced systems.

Hamas opposes the U.S. proposal and any foreign military presence in the Gaza Strip

Hamas issued an official statement on behalf of itself and other Palestinian factions, warning of the “danger” of the American proposal being brought to a vote in the Security Council, claiming it represents an attempt to impose international guardianship on the Strip and enforce a framework that favors Israel.

The statement says the proposal paves the way for placing Palestinian national decision-making under external oversight by transferring Gaza’s administration and reconstruction to an international body with broad powers – “which deprives Palestinians of their right to manage their own affairs.” Hamas added that all humanitarian efforts in the Strip must be handled by Palestinian institutions (controlled by Hamas) under UN supervision.

Hamas and the other terrorist organizations emphasize that they oppose any clause involving disarmament in Gaza or harming “the Palestinian people’s right to resistance and self-defense,” a right they claim has international protection. They insist that any discussion of weapons “must remain an internal national issue tied to a political process that ensures the end of the occupation, the establishment of a state, and the fulfillment of the right to self-determination.”

Hamas argues that any international force must be fully subordinate to the UN and under its direct supervision, and must operate exclusively with official Palestinian institutions – with no coordination with Israel or granting Israel any authority. Its role, they say, should be limited solely to protecting civilians, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and separating forces, without becoming a supra-national security or governing body.