Saudi Crown Prince Denounces Israel's Actions as "Genocide" at Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh

New Delhi: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as "genocide" during an extraordinary summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyadh. 

The summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, brought together high-ranking officials from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the escalating violence in Gaza and broader West Asian countries.

In his opening remarks, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and its military operations in Lebanon, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He criticised what he described as Israel’s "massacres" against the Palestinian and Lebanese people, denouncing the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza and rejecting any attempts to undermine the Palestinian Authority's role in the region.

Strong Condemnation from Arab and Islamic Leaders

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, echoed the Crown Prince’s sentiments, expressing deep concern over the dire situation faced by Palestinians. He stated, "The actions taken by Israel against the Palestinian people are undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace. Only with justice can we hope to establish a stable and peaceful future."

MBS reiterated Saudi Arabia’s stance, demanding an immediate halt to Israeli military operations and urging global leaders to pressure Israel into ceasing its aggressive actions against Palestinian and Lebanese territories. 

He highlighted the obstruction of aid by Israeli forces, noting that the blockade on Gaza has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with agencies like the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) being impeded in their efforts to provide relief.

Saudi Arabia’s criticism comes amid its ongoing diplomatic efforts to foster unity among Arab and Muslim nations in support of the Palestinian cause. 

MBS highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to a two-state solution, calling on the international community to recognise Palestinian statehood and support the establishment of an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

MBS also addressed Israel's recent attacks on Iranian interests, cautioning against any escalation that could destabilise the region further. 

This marks a significant shift in Saudi-Iranian relations, reflecting a thaw in their historically tense relationship as they find common ground in opposing Israel’s actions.

The summit witnessed participation from a diverse group of leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who accused Israel of targeting women and children in Gaza. Erdogan called for international legal action against Israel, supporting South Africa’s move to take the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He emphasised, "We must take coordinated measures against acts of genocide in Palestine, based on international law and the UN Charter."

The summit highlighted a rare moment of unity among Arab and Islamic nations, as leaders from countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, and Iran gathered in Riyadh calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood. The Saudi Crown Prince lauded the diplomatic efforts that led to nine additional nations recognising the State of Palestine since the conflict intensified in October 2023. This move was praised as a significant step towards achieving full membership for Palestine at the United Nations.