Since the outbreak of the war, Saudi Arabia has intensified its rhetoric against Israel, with public statements from Riyadh becoming increasingly critical—even hostile.
The peak of this shift occurred in November of last year when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Israel of committing "collective genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza. Such remarks, unprecedented from the de facto leader of the kingdom, contrasted sharply with his pre-war stance on Israel.
Beyond rhetoric, Saudi Arabia has also taken an active role in advocating for the Palestinian cause in ways it never had before. Seeking to capitalize on the region's anti-Israel sentiment, Riyadh has positioned itself as a champion of Palestinian rights.
It has spearheaded an international "alliance" aimed at advancing the establishment of a Palestinian state. For Saudi Arabia, image and perception are as critical as substance—they aspire to be seen as the key players responsible for ultimately achieving Palestinian statehood.