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Saudi Arabia’s prince accuses Israel of Gaza genocide
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has blamed Israel for committing “collective genocide” in Gaza, marking some of his most vigorous condemnation of the nation since the conflict started last year.
Leader’s Statement
At a meeting of leaders from Islamic nations held in Riyadh on Monday, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia stated: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.”
The Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, commonly referred to as MBS, also spoke in favor of Iran, in sharp contrast to his remarks in 2017 where he likened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler.
Saudi Prince Stated
MBS called on the global community to “compel Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and not to attack (Iranian) territories.”
Saudia Arabia has lately indicated greater political engagement and policy changes in favor of the Palestinians.
Last year, the kingdom was engaged in negotiations for a historic normalization accord with Israel but recently stated that it was “off the table” without Palestinian statehood, a demand that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected.
Iran dispatched its First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref to the Riyadh conference, where he expressed condolences for the passing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. Saudi Arabia firmly rejects Iran-supported groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Riyadh and Tehran mended their relationship last year following years of hostility regarding regional dominance.
Participants in the high-level meeting comprised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, present at the meeting, continue to be entangled in a persistent conflict regarding Turkey’s military actions in northern Syria and its backing of rebel factions.
The declared objective of Monday’s gathering was “aligning stances” and “applying pressure” on the global community to act towards halting the “ongoing attacks and establish lasting peace,” in the area, reported Saudi Arabia’s official state agency.
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