Just a year after announcing that diplomatic ties with Israel were getting closer, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader has shut down talk of normalisation as

His comments reflect an apparent toughening of his views on an issue that could reshape the diplomatic map of the Middle East.

"The kingdom will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,

Mohammed bin Salman said that his country will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is created.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MbS, reiterated the kingdom’s stance on Israel, stating that Saudi Arabia would not recognize Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.