Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Settlement Plans Around Jerusalem, Rejects Statements Against Palestinian Statehood

Riyadh, August 15, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the decision by Israeli occupation authorities to approve the construction of settlements around the occupied city of Jerusalem and denounced recent statements by Israel’s foreign minister opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In a statement, the Kingdom said the actions violate international law, the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and statehood, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2234 (2016). That resolution calls on Israel to cease all settlement activities in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, affirms the illegality of settlement construction in territories occupied since 1967, and references the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice affirming the invalidity of annexing occupied Palestinian territories.

Saudi Arabia stressed that such decisions and statements are part of ongoing illegal expansionist policies by the Israeli government, which undermine prospects for peace and pose a serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution. The Kingdom urged the international community to fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities to protect the Palestinian people, uphold their legitimate rights—including recognition of a Palestinian state—and compel Israel to halt its aggression against Gaza, stop illegal violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and end acts it described as crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly those amounting to genocide.

The statement reiterated Saudi Arabia’s categorical rejection of Israeli policies based on settlement construction, forced displacement, and the denial of Palestinian rights. It called on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to take immediate measures to compel Israeli occupation authorities to halt violations, adhere to international law, and comply with UN resolutions.