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In September, the crown prince declared that unless a Palestinian state was established, the kingdom would not recognise Israel.
Speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto ruler denounced what he described as Israel’s “genocide” against Palestinians.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman echoed remarks made by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud late last month when he declared at an Arab Islamic summit, “The Kingdom renews its condemnation and categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.”
He called on the international community to respect Iran’s sovereignty and prevent Israel from attacking Iran.
In September, the crown prince declared that unless a Palestinian state was established, the kingdom would not recognise Israel.
In addition to other bilateral agreements between Washington and Riyadh, US President Joe Biden’s administration had attempted to mediate a normalisation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel that would have included U.S. security guarantees for the kingdom.
Following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants from Gaza and Israel’s subsequent retaliation, those normalisation efforts were put on hold.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary general of the Arab League, referred to a piece in a closing statement to the summit that called for freezing Israel’s membership in the U.N. General Assembly during a press conference later on Monday.
According to him, the General Assembly could decide whether to freeze membership, which would not fall under the purview of the Security Council.
“A UNGA majority decision could freeze Israel’s membership in the near future,” Aboul Gheit stated.
The final statement of the summit called on the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for both military and civilian officials in Israel and demanded that all nations refrain from exporting or transferring weapons and ammunition to Israel.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, almost all of Gaza’s population has been displaced, a hunger crisis has resulted, and Israel has denied accusations of genocide at the World Court as a result of its military attack on the territory over the past 13 months.