Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it would not establish ties with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state - a statement that comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the Saudis were not demanding a Palestinian state.

Saudi Arabia stated it will not formalize relations with Israel without establishing a Palestinian state, emphasizing East Jerusalem as its capital. The foreign ministry responded to Israeli PM Netanyahu’s optimism about normalization amidst ongoing Gaza conflict and US support for diplomatic ties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he was committed to peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia and that he believed he would succeed in achieving that goal.

US President Donald Trump says he will visit Israel, Gaza and Saudi Arabia. He notes that there’s been a lot of “bad leadership in the Middle East” that allowed the last year of tumult to unfold. He doesn’t specify who he is referring to.

The Middle East is an incredible place, so vibrant,' US president says during news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump, accompanied by (L-R) Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US national security adviser Michael Waltz, and US Vice President JD Vance, speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Saudi Foreign Ministry reaffirms Riyadh's 'firm and unwavering' position on Palestinian state, calling it 'non-negotiable and uncompromising' - Anadolu Ajansı

Riyadh says its 'firm and unwavering' stance has been relayed to administration; PA envoy rejects Trump's call for permanent relocation of Gazans: 'Our homeland is our homeland'