His Majesty King Saud declared that the Arab states would not engage in direct negotiations with Israel, stating unequivocally that “we will never recognize Israel.” He added:
“Why should we not sacrifice ten million of our fifty million people, if necessary, in order to live with our pride and self‑respect intact?”
The King affirmed that the Arabs lost Palestine in 1948 because they were neither united nor sincere in their actions and efforts. He continued:
“Israel is a grave wound in the body of the Arab world, and we cannot endure the pain of this wound forever. We will not accept that Israel remain standing, occupying part of Palestine for a long time.”
His Majesty further stated that if the Arab states wished to achieve their aspirations for freedom and unity, they must abandon the policies that had brought disaster upon the Arabs in the present generation.
He added:
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends its hand to every Arab government willing to work with us to achieve the goals of the Arab nation. And I say this frankly: we, the kings and leaders, if we do not exchange views with complete candor, we will never set foot on the path that leads to the liberation of occupied Palestine.”
This statement was delivered to foreign journalists while His Majesty attended a reception hosted by the Greek‑born oil‑tanker magnate Aristotle Onassis, celebrating the maiden voyage of his super‑tanker King Saud I, then the largest oil tanker in the world.
Source: Al‑Madinah
Date: 10 Jumada al‑Akhirah 1373 — 14 February 1954