By Dr. Sameera Aziz
Saudi Arabia’s approach to the Israel–Palestine conflict has always been marked by substance over spectacle. While its condemnation of Israeli aggression is unequivocal, the Kingdom has preferred a strategy of sustained humanitarian aid, strategic diplomacy, and moral clarity—eschewing populist outrage in favor of long-term impact. This quiet yet resolute posture has positioned Saudi Arabia as a critical pillar of Palestinian support, regionally and globally.
Generational Humanitarian Investment
Since the early 2000s, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most consistent and generous donors to the Palestinian cause. From 2000 to 2018 alone, the Kingdom contributed more than $6.4 billion in aid—including approximately $250 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). These funds have supported hundreds of projects across healthcare, education, infrastructure, and food security.
Saudi support has often filled critical gaps in Palestinian society. Contributions have funded hospitals and clinics, sustained education for refugee children, supported salaries for civil servants, and delivered essential services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2022, amid financial shortfalls threatening UNRWA’s core services, the Kingdom pledged $27 million to help sustain health and educational programs for millions of refugees.
Responding to Crisis with Urgency
The outbreak of intense hostilities in October 2023 saw Saudi Arabia intensify its support. Through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), the Kingdom allocated $185 million in emergency relief. This included truckloads of food, essential medicine, and logistical support to Gaza and surrounding areas.
Public support matched the government’s stance. The Sahem donation platform raised over SR 500 million (USD 130 million) from nearly 800,000 individual donors, reflecting deep national solidarity with the Palestinian people. By late 2024, Saudi Arabia had delivered four consecutive monthly aid packages—$10 million per month—to bolster Palestine’s institutional resilience during economic distress.
Diplomatic Advocacy on Global Platforms
Saudi Arabia’s influence extends beyond financial aid. At the 2023 Extraordinary Islamic Summit of the OIC, hosted in Riyadh, the Kingdom led the call for immediate humanitarian corridors, international investigations into war crimes, and sanctions on arms transfers to Israel.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia co-chairs the Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Palestinian State, working with nearly 90 nations to push for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. These diplomatic efforts reflect a long-term strategic vision: sustainable peace through legal and political channels, not through reactive escalation.
The Wisdom Behind Quiet Strategy
Critics sometimes misinterpret Saudi Arabia’s measured approach as inaction. In truth, its restraint is tactical. The Kingdom balances multiple priorities:
Sustaining humanitarian aid without disrupting access.
Preserving regional alliances while defending Arab and Islamic values.
Avoiding further civilian suffering, especially in Gaza.
Leading efforts within the Arab League and OIC to establish legal and media-monitoring mechanisms that document violations against Palestinians.
Saudi diplomacy is built on the principle that meaningful change often comes not through noise, but through persistence, coordination, and foresight.
Tangible Impact on the Ground
Saudi support has led to measurable outcomes:
Millions of meals, shelter kits, and medical supplies delivered.
Continuous backing for UNRWA’s schools, clinics, and microfinance programs.
Construction of 1,500 housing units in Rafah through a $70 million housing initiative.
Ongoing quarterly financial assistance for governance, education, and health in Palestinian territories.
These efforts aren’t just temporary fixes—they’re part of a vision for rebuilding lives and institutions.
A Vision for Lasting Peace
Saudi Arabia’s position on normalization with Israel remains clear and principled. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reiterated that no normalization will take place without justice for Palestinians and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative, which the Kingdom first proposed in 2002, and continues to champion today.
A Model of Strategic Solidarity
Saudi Arabia’s contribution to Palestine—exceeding $6 billion since 2000—demonstrates a deep-rooted and holistic commitment that encompasses both immediate relief and long-term state-building. In a world often dominated by performative politics, the Kingdom’s steadfast support offers a powerful reminder: real leadership is measured not in slogans, but in results.
About the Author:
Dr. Sameera Aziz is a senior Saudi journalist, businesswoman, author, poet, and cross-cultural commentator based in Jeddah. Holding a PhD in Mass Media, she is one of the pioneers of female journalism in Saudi Arabia and a strong advocate for Vision 2030. She can be reached at: consultant.sameera.aziz@gmail.com
