Saudi Arabia appears poised to deliver a diplomatic setback to Israel as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is reportedly considering attending a key United Nations conference focused on the Palestine issue next week. The conference, scheduled for June 17 in New York, is centered on advancing the long-stalled two-state solution, a proposal that envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting peacefully.

If MBS does attend, it would send a strong signal — not just to Israel but also to the United States, which is actively lobbying Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. Washington has urged Riyadh to delay recognition of a Palestinian state and instead build diplomatic ties with Israel, a cornerstone of recent U.S. Middle East policy.

Riyadh and Paris Co-Sponsor Conference

The upcoming UN conference is jointly sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, both of which are navigating diplomatic pressure regarding Palestinian statehood. France is still weighing its position on officially recognizing Palestine, while Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed whether the Crown Prince will be present at the summit.

According to diplomats cited by The Times of Israel, MBS is unlikely to attend unless the event leads to concrete progress on the two-state framework — a longstanding Arab demand and the basis of several past peace initiatives.

A Broader Diplomatic Shift?

The timing of the conference is crucial. Growing international criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, combined with Israel’s increasingly strained ties with several global powers, has opened the door for renewed momentum toward Palestinian recognition. Should Saudi Arabia step up with symbolic or political support, other countries — particularly in Europe — may follow suit in recognizing a sovereign Palestinian state.

U.S. Pushback and Warnings

In response, the United States — still deeply aligned with Israel — has warned governments against participating in the conference. The Biden administration has reportedly issued communications stating that involvement in any platform seen as "anti-Israel" could carry diplomatic consequences. The U.S. maintains that unilateral recognition of Palestine undermines direct negotiations between the two sides and remains firmly opposed to any move that appears to sidestep Israel’s consent.

What’s at Stake

• For Saudi Arabia: Participation signals a shift toward deeper support for Palestinian statehood and increased independence from U.S. policy influence.

• For Israel: It would be a diplomatic setback, especially as it seeks normalization with more Arab nations.

• For the U.S.: A challenge to its position as a Middle East powerbroker and protector of Israeli interests on the world stage.

• For Palestine: Possible momentum toward international recognition — a longstanding goal for Palestinian leadership.