Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has reportedly funded a trip for 1,000 Palestinian relatives of individuals labeled as martyrs, prisoners, and the injured to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
This information was shared by official Palestinian news outlets, citing Palestinian Media Watch:
With US President Donald Trump’s “Abraham Accord” in mind, there has been ongoing speculation about the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, this recent gesture from the Saudi king, which aims to “honor” families connected to Palestinian terrorists, indicates that Saudi leaders have not denied support for attacks against Israel or distanced themselves from those responsible for harming Israeli civilians.
Palestinian Authority Chair Mahmoud Abbas remarked, “I expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its generous contributions, especially for the 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims from families of martyrs, prisoners, and those injured.” [Official PA TV News, June 9, 2025]. These relatives of individuals categorized as “martyrs, prisoners, or wounded” (essentially referring to terrorists) have been taken to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
This action serves as a demonstration of “loyalty” to terrorists and reflects a commitment to consistently support and recognize their families, as noted by officials on PA television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owd1hcnsara
The funding for families of Palestinian terrorists has turned into a significant point of contention affecting US-Palestinian relations. Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel as part of a broader peace agreement.
King Salman seems more hesitant about pursuing peace with Israel compared to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (often referred to as MBS), who is advocating for better ties with Israel and the West.
