The Saudi Role in Supporting the Palestinian Cause

An exceptional relationship that began early, was solidified by institutional action, and continued with political steadfastness. The relationship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the Palestinian cause was not a circumstantial or emotional relationship. Rather, it was a relationship established early, embodied in organized institutional work, and continued with steadfastness since after the June 1967 setback until he assumed the reins of power as King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This relationship embodies a rare model of unity of vision between the Saudi leadership and the Palestinian cause, combining historical awareness, institutional action, and a firm political stance.

From the 1967 Setback to Building the Institutional Framework

In the aftermath of the June 1967 setback and the severe humanitarian and political consequences it left on the Palestinian people, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took the initiative to establish the Popular Committee for Assisting the Palestinian People, as a national framework that translates the steadfast Saudi stance towards Palestine into organized and sustainable action.
Since the establishment of the committee, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – when he was the Governor of the Riyadh region – assumed its presidency, and continued in this position without interruption until he ascended to the throne, in a rare experience in terms of leadership continuity in Arab humanitarian work.
This presidency was not merely formal or symbolic, but was characterized by direct supervision, meticulous follow-up, and a keenness to ensure that Saudi support was effective, disciplined, and reached its true beneficiaries.

A National Network Covering the Kingdom's Cities

Under the presidency of King Salman, the Popular Committee witnessed a remarkable development in its organizational structure, with the establishment of a network of offices spread across major cities in various regions of the Kingdom, which undertook the tasks of collecting donations and implementing humanitarian support programs for the Palestinian people.
This system was managed by a central general administration that supervised the work of the committee and its offices, and ensured national coordination and adherence to regulatory frameworks, financial and administrative transparency, which contributed to consolidating popular and official trust in the committee's work, making it a pioneering experience in organized support for the Palestinian cause.

A Long Experience Shaping a Steadfast Political Stance

This decades-long experience contributed to solidifying a clear vision for King Salman regarding the Palestinian cause. When he assumed power, his stance on Palestine was not the product of a new phase, but a natural extension of a path that began in his youth, and was dedicated to action, not just rhetoric.
From this perspective, the Saudi stance during his reign remained based on:
Supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
Establishing an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders.
Considering East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
Rejecting any partial solutions or attempts to circumvent these constants.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman: Continuity of Stance and Unity of Decision

In this context, the role of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stands out, embodying the continuity of the Saudi stance on the Palestinian cause, and implementing the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, based on the same constants that have been formed over decades.
This stance was formed in the Crown Prince as a firm political conviction, meaning that there can be no peace or stability in the region without justice for the Palestinian people.
Hence came the clear and decisive Saudi stance, expressed by the Crown Prince on more than one occasion, that there can be no peace or stability in the region without the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This stance translates into firm policies and clear and decisive positions, reflecting the unity of vision within the Saudi leadership and its integration between the King and his Crown Prince.

Active Saudi Diplomacy Towards State Implementation

With the recent developments in the Palestinian cause, the Saudi role has become more prominent on the international stage, as the Kingdom leads active diplomatic efforts aimed at expanding the base of international recognition of the State of Palestine, and transforming this recognition into a practical and binding path on the ground.
In this context, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leader of a growing international bloc, including influential countries from various continents, working to:
Consolidate recognition of the State of Palestine as a legal right that cannot be postponed.

Provide an international political umbrella for implementing the two-state solution

Linking any real peace process to ending the occupation and enabling the Palestinian state to exercise its full sovereignty. These efforts reflect a firm Saudi conviction that recognition of the State of Palestine is no longer a symbolic matter, but a fundamental step to restore balance to the international system and prepare the ground for real stability in the region.

Conclusion: Palestine is a State Approach
The relationship between King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Palestinian cause represents a rare model of a leader's relationship with a cause; a relationship that began early, continued through action, and transformed into a continuous state approach that combines institutional work, political steadfastness, and effective diplomatic action.
This relationship confirms that Palestine, in Saudi policy, is not just a seasonal file or a negotiating card, but a central issue, an inherent right, and a key to regional stability, managed with steadfastness, protected by decision, and translated on the ground with clear and unequivocal positions.