King Salman to President Trump: We expect a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue

(Patria) - The King of Saudi Arabia told US President Donald Trump that he expects a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, which he claims is the fundamental starting point of the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by the kingdom in 2002.

King Salman and President Trump spoke following the historic agreement reached last month between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, with the US as mediator.

In a phone call with the US President, King Salman emphasized that he appreciates American peace efforts, but also that Saudi Arabia expects a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue based on the terms presented in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Let us recall that, according to the Arab Peace Initiative proposal, Arab countries offer normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for the restoration of statehood to the Palestinians and the complete withdrawal of Israel from the territories occupied in the 1967 Middle East War.  

Although Saudi Arabia has never officially recognized Israel, it was recently announced that the kingdom will allow the use of its airspace for flights between the Emirates and Israel.

The US hopes that, in addition to Jordan, Egypt, and most recently the Emirates, other Arab countries will establish diplomatic relations with Israel, but there are still no indications as to which Arab country might decide to take such a step.

The son of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, spoke with Jared Kushner, the US President's son-in-law and his Middle East advisor, about the possibility of bringing the Palestinian and Israeli sides back to the negotiating table with the aim of achieving lasting peace.  

The agreement between Israel and the Emirates was met with fierce condemnation from the Palestinian side.