Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” against Palestinians.
He made these remarks at an Arab and Muslim leaders summit held on November 11, where leaders pressed for the establishment of a Palestinian state. This statement marks Saudi Arabia’s strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the genocide on October 7, 2023.
Saudi Arabia “categorically rejects genocide committed by Israel against Palestinians,” bin Salman declared, condemning the violence that has left 150,000 Palestinians killed, injured, or missing, many of them women and children. He added that Israel’s continued actions against civilians, violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and undermining of the Palestinian Authority would hinder peace efforts and Palestinians’ legitimate rights.
The Crown Prince also urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, calling on the international community to stop Israeli actions against Palestinians. Additionally, he warned Israel against attacking Iran and emphasised the need to respect Iran’s sovereignty.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s stance, stating that it would not recognise Israel unless a Palestinian state was established.
At the summit, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, accused Israel of causing starvation in Gaza, describing it as a “failing of the international community” that the conflict had not been halted. Leaders further condemned Israel’s actions against UN staff and facilities in Gaza.
The bombardment in Gaza started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a retaliatory attack on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths. Israel has since then killed 43,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
