AhlulBayt News Agency: A Gulf diplomatic source has revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce official recognition of a Palestinian state—excluding Hamas—during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. The announcement is anticipated to take place at a Gulf-U.S. summit in Riyadh, scheduled for mid-May, marking Trump's first visit to the kingdom in his second presidential term.
This summit echoes the 2017 Gulf-U.S. summit, which featured major economic and military agreements. Speculation about Trump’s planned announcement has grown following his recent remarks during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 6, where he hinted at a “very important” upcoming declaration. Observers suggest the summit may focus on security, military, artificial intelligence, and economic partnerships.
According to a Gulf diplomatic source speaking to The Media Line, Trump’s declaration would establish a Palestinian state without Hamas, potentially triggering a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. This move could encourage more countries to join the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization agreements between certain Arab states and Israel.
While all Gulf leaders are expected to attend the summit, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz will be absent due to health concerns. Economic agreements, including potential tariff exemptions for Gulf nations, are expected to be a key part of the discussions, with some details already disclosed in advance.
However, skepticism remains regarding Palestine’s role in the summit. Former Gulf diplomat Ahmed Al-Ibrahim noted that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan—two key figures in Palestinian affairs—have not been invited. He speculates that the event may be more centered on economic initiatives rather than a Palestinian state.
Saudi analyst Ahmed Boushouki has also emphasized the summit’s likely economic focus. He pointed to Trump’s recent remarks urging Americans to “buy stocks now” ahead of his announcement, suggesting financial investments could be central to the meeting.
Energy talks may also feature in discussions, particularly regarding U.S.-Saudi cooperation in nuclear energy for electricity production. Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear ambitions have been underway since 2010, with multiple international firms competing for the project.
While the summit’s outcome remains uncertain, an official recognition of Palestine—if declared—would be a significant diplomatic milestone. However, excluding key Palestinian resistance groups from the deal or failing to address ongoing issues of occupation and apartheid risks undermining the broader struggle for Palestinian justice.
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