Peace only through Palestinian rights, not Arab normalisation: PA spokesman

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has criticised Israeli comments on reaching peace through normalisation with Arab states, saying that peace can only be achieved after recognising the rights of the Palestinian people.

"Making true peace comes through recognising the rights of the Palestinian people [...] through international legitimacy," said PA spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh on Wednesday, according to Anadolu.

It came in response to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening when he said that normalisation with more Arab states, namely Saudi Arabia, would put an end to the "Arab-Israeli conflict" and constitute a shield against a supposed threat from Iran.

Israel formally established ties with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco in 2020. It already shared diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan decades prior.

"Ignoring the rights of the Palestinian people, and carrying out agreements here or there, will not bring security and stability to anyone," Abu Rudeineh said.

Netanyahu's statements "reveal the true intentions of his government to evade the entitlements of peace based on international legitimacy", the Palestinian official added.

"Events have proven that resolving the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy and international law and giving the Palestinian people their right to freedom and independence is the real key to the region's crises."

Speculation that Saudi Arabia may join other Arab states in normalising ties with Israel in recent years has increased since Netanyahu was re-elected prime minister at the end of last year.

He told Saudi-owned broadcaster Al-Arabiya in December that normalisation would "change our region in ways that are unimaginable".

Saudi Arabia said any agreement would only be possible once the Palestinian cause was resolved through a two-state solution.

Israel continues to practice violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories, killing and arresting scores of people since last year. At least 50 Palestinians have been killed since the start of 2023.