Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has firmly stated that Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without first creating an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. In his address to the Saudi Shura Council, he condemned the 'crimes of the Israeli occupation' against Palestinians, reiterating that the Palestinian issue remains a top priority for the kingdom. This announcement undermines the Biden administration's hopes for a normalization deal with Israel, which had been expected following recent talks. The Crown Prince expressed gratitude to nations recognizing Palestine and emphasized the need for a collaborative international effort to resolve disputes peacefully. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia's significant strides in non-oil economic activities, indicating a transformative period for the country. The backdrop of ongoing tensions in Gaza and Israel's military actions further complicates the prospects for normalization.