Israel and Saudi Arabia dismiss claims of breakthrough in normalisation talks

Both Israel and Saudi Arabia have rejected reports suggesting progress in negotiations to normalise relations, with The Times of Israel citing denials from officials in both nations.

Earlier, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claimed that Saudi Arabia had dropped its demand for the creation of a Palestinian state as a condition for normalisation.

The report sparked controversy among Israeli right-wing politicians, who interpreted it as suggesting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a Palestinian state. Netanyahu's office swiftly refuted the claim, describing it as “a complete lie.”

Saudi officials also rejected the allegations, emphasising their ongoing commitment to Palestinian statehood. “The notion that the kingdom’s leadership has somehow modified its longstanding commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is equally baseless,” a Saudi official said in a statement to reporters.

The statement reiterated Saudi Arabia’s focus on addressing the crisis in Gaza and supporting Palestinian aspirations for independence, rejecting any suggestion of policy change in this regard.