British Labour Party MPs have strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for suggesting that Palestinians should establish a state in Saudi Arabia rather than their own homeland. This comment, made during an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Thursday, has sparked outrage among British lawmakers and politicians.
Netanyahu’s remarks came in response to Saudi Arabia’s position, which insists that a clear path to Palestinian statehood is a prerequisite for normalizing relations with Israel. In the interview, Netanyahu dismissed the idea, stating, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have a lot of land over there.”
Labour MPs Speak Out
Labour MP Afzal Khan, vice-chair of the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, condemned Netanyahu’s proposal as “barbaric.” Khan argued that Palestinians “do not need more displacement. They need a free homeland.” He warned that Netanyahu’s plan would result in the forced removal of Palestinians, describing it as an attempt to ethnically cleanse Gaza.
Khan further emphasized that the British government has expressed its firm opposition to any plans to displace Palestinians, aligning with international law and standing against such abuses. “We stand firm against such flagrant abuses of international law,” Khan said.
Fellow Labour MP Kim Johnson also condemned Netanyahu’s comments as “absurd and insulting,” stressing that the future of Palestine should be determined by the Palestinian people, not by external powers. Johnson called on the British government to officially recognize a Palestinian state and urged the foreign secretary to object to Netanyahu’s proposal “in the very strongest terms.”
Reactions from Independent MPs
Independent MP Adnan Hussain criticized Netanyahu’s remarks, labeling them as the “words of a war criminal,” referencing the Israeli Prime Minister’s ongoing legal challenges. Hussain expressed that Netanyahu’s views on mass displacement reflect his intentions to carry out further war crimes, urging Britain to uphold international law and recognize Palestinian rights.
The Broader Context of Saudi-Israel Relations
Netanyahu’s comments come as Saudi Arabia and Israel appear to be distancing themselves from potential normalization of ties. Over a year after U.S. officials suggested an agreement was close, the relationship between the two nations has cooled. Chris Doyle, chair of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, suggested that Netanyahu’s remarks were meant to push back against Saudi Arabia’s stance, demonstrating that Israel was not desperate to strike a deal with the kingdom.
Doyle further explained that Netanyahu was using the remarks as a negotiating tactic, signaling that he was not willing to make significant concessions on Palestinian statehood to secure normalization. The Israeli Prime Minister’s comments also followed recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who proposed the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza to create a new enclave, described as the “Riviera of the Mediterranean.”
Saudi Arabia’s Firm Stance on Palestinian Statehood
The Saudi foreign ministry responded promptly to Trump’s comments, reiterating that the kingdom’s stance on Palestinian statehood remains “firm and unwavering.” Saudi Arabia has emphasized that its position on the issue of Palestinian statehood is non-negotiable in the context of normalization with Israel.
Experts such as Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King’s College London, suggest that Netanyahu’s comments were driven by domestic political pressures rather than a serious diplomatic stance, especially given that Saudi Arabia cannot afford to alienate its population over the Palestinian cause.
Krieg noted that Netanyahu’s views were “completely out of sync” with the policies of the majority of the international community, which supports Palestinian self-determination within the historic boundaries of Palestine.
The situation continues to evolve, and Saudi Arabia’s response to Netanyahu’s remarks remains to be seen.
