Iraq condemns Netanyahu comments on Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement strongly condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments about the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi Arabian territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to make a lighthearted remark this week when an interviewer on the right-wing Channel 14 misspoke, saying “Saudi state” instead of “Palestinian state” before quickly correcting himself.

“A Palestinian state,” Netanyahu said, correcting the interviewer. “Unless you want the Palestinian state to be in Saudi Arabia—they have a lot of territory,” he added with a smile during the interview, which took place in Washington.

On Feb. 6, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply denounced any proposals or attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from from Gaza.

Full statement:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the provocative statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ministry affirms its categorical rejection of these statements, which constitute a blatant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and an assault on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Furthermore, these remarks contradict the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

While expressing Iraq’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the ministry reiterates its steadfast position in supporting the security, stability, and sovereignty of nations. It emphasizes that any infringement on the sovereignty of any state is entirely unacceptable.