Saudi Arabia Denounces Israeli Plans to Build Settlements near Jerusalem, Reiterates Support for Palestinian State
Riyadh, August 15, 2025, – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly denounced the Israeli occupation authorities’ approval to build new settlements surrounding occupied Jerusalem, along with denouncing the latest declarations by the Israeli foreign minister against the realization of a Palestinian state.
In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that these acts are a clear infringement on international law and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and sovereignty over their territory.
The Kingdom referred to applicable UN Security Council resolutions, such as Resolution 2234 (2016), which calls for an immediate cessation of Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and reaffirms the illegality of settlement building in those parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem that have been occupied since 1967. The ministry further referred to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion affirming the invalidity of annexing Palestinian lands and requesting the end of the Israeli occupation.
Saudi Arabia reiterates that such steps demonstrate the persistence of Israel’s expansionist policy, hinder efforts towards peace, and represent a serious threat to the two-state solution. The statement called upon the international community to take on its legal and moral duty to protect the Palestinian people, acknowledge their rightful rights, including statehood, and pressure Israel to cease its aggression against Gaza, stop illegal actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and stop crimes against Palestinians, including those that constitute genocide.
The Kingdom reaffirmed its categorical rejection of settlement expansion policies, forced transfer and denial of Palestinian rights. It urged the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable for its breach and compel compliance with UN resolutions and international law.
verified from sources:spa
