Saudi Arabia's Position on the First Palestinian Intifada (1987–1993): A Historical Study

Abstract

This study examines the Saudi position toward the First Palestinian Intifada during the period 1987–1993 from a historical perspective. It aims to analyze the political, diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian dimensions of Saudi policy toward the Palestinian cause during one of the most significant phases in the modern history of the Arab–Israeli conflict.The study adopts the historical analytical approach by tracing the evolution of the Saudi position in light of the regional and international developments that accompanied the outbreak of the Intifada, including the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988, the Gulf Crisis of 1990–1991, the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991, and the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993.The findings indicate that Saudi Arabia maintained consistent political support for the Palestinian cause while employing diplomatic initiatives and financial assistance to reinforce Palestinian resilience throughout the Intifada. The study also concludes that regional transformations, particularly the Gulf Crisis, influenced the mechanisms and priorities of Saudi foreign policy without fundamentally altering its official commitment to the Palestinian cause.