Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has recently made a declaration that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is established, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This statement marks a shift in the prince's stance and could have significant implications for Middle Eastern diplomacy. The crown prince emphasized the kingdom's commitment to supporting an independent Palestinian state and thanked countries that have recognized Palestine as a step towards international legitimacy. This firm stance comes after a period of increasing official Saudi criticism of Israel, particularly during the Gaza war in October. Despite hints of progress towards a potential deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, recent events have led to a hardening of Saudi Arabia's position, with a renewed focus on the need for a clear path towards Palestinian statehood. This change in tone follows a meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. While the possibility of an Israeli-Saudi deal remains uncertain, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed hope for progress before the end of the Biden administration. Palestinian officials have welcomed the crown prince's statements, seeing them as a reaffirmation of Saudi Arabia's enduring support for the Palestinian cause.