Saudi Arabia accuses Israel of committing 'mass genocide' in Gaza

(CLO) At a meeting with leaders of Muslim countries in Riyadh on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) strongly condemned Israel for carrying out "collective genocide" in Gaza.

"The Kingdom once again condemns and completely rejects Israel's act of mass genocide against the brotherly Palestinian people," he said.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photo: CNN

The war has killed more than 43,000 people in Gaza since Israel began its offensive last year. On Tuesday alone, at least 30 people were killed in Gaza City and northern Gaza, with many more still trapped, according to Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal.

Last year, Saudi Arabia launched historic talks to normalize relations with Israel, but recently declared that this was “no longer possible” without a Palestinian state – a demand that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected.

MBS, who has clashed with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now turned to defending Iran, calling on the international community to “force Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and not attack its territories.” Riyadh and Tehran restored ties last year after decades of hostility.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref expressed condolences over the deaths of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders at a meeting in Riyadh. Leaders in attendance included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Egyptian President el-Sisi.

Experts say that Crown Prince MBS organized the meeting to demonstrate the unity of Muslim countries before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office. During the election campaign, Mr. Trump did not clarify his policy on the Israel-Hamas conflict, but he once said that Israel needed to "finish what it started."

Analysts say Saudi Arabia is no longer willing to support the maximum pressure campaign against Iran as it once was. Instead, the country is looking to expand its relationship with Tehran. This week, Crown Prince MBS spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and sent the Saudi military chief of staff to Tehran.

With its current foreign policy, Saudi Arabia wants to remain neutral in conflicts involving the US, Israel and Iran. "The message from Riyadh is that we want cooperation, but there must be concessions on Palestine and Iran," said Hussein Ibish of the Arab States Institute in Washington.

Cao Phong (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thai-tu-a-rap-xe-ut-cao-buoc-israel-pham-toi-diet-chung-tap-the-o-gaza-post321142.html