Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Saudi Foreign Minister: “Israel Doesn’t Get To Decide” on Palestinian Statehood

Saudi Foreign Minister: “Israel Doesn’t Get To Decide” on Palestinian Statehood

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has expressed “extreme concern” over the Israeli government’s rejection of a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict, adding that Israel “doesn’t get to decide” whether the Palestinians can have a state or not, World Israel News (WIN) reports.

Prince Faisal made his remarks at a press conference in Brussels after Norway’s foreign minister presented Palestinian Authority Premier Mohammad Mustafa with diplomatic papers confirming his country’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Norway joined fellow European nations Ireland and Spain in unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state.

Addressing reporters, Prince Faisal said Norway’s recognition would “reinvigorate the two-state solution independent of Israel’s position because Israel doesn’t get to decide whether or not the Palestinians have a right to self-determination.”

“I firmly believe that a two-state solution with the establishment of a credible Palestinian state serves … the interest of the Palestinians and delivers [on] their right to self-determination,” Prince Faisal said.

“It is also in the interest of Israel and delivers the security that Israel needs and deserves,” Faisal added, referring to Jerusalem’s current rejection of a two-state solution. “The fact that the current government in Israel doesn’t realize that, of course, is a matter of extreme concern.”