By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK – On Monday, Saudia Arabia called for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opening the OIC-Arab Summit on Gaza, taking place in Riyadh. He said the international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” while condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide.” The crown prince added that his country “affirms its support for the brothers in Palestine and Lebanon to overcome the disastrous humanitarian consequences of the ongoing Israeli aggression.” A main focus at the summit is a draft resolution that emphasizes “firm support” and “national rights” for the Palestinians –“foremost among which is their right to freedom and to an independent, sovereign state.”
Muslim leaders are calling for an immediate international peace conference on Gaza. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made remarks at the summit, warning that Israel’s aim is to annihilate all Palestinians. Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr dismissed the concept of a Palestinian state referring to it as a “Hamas state.” Arab and Muslim leaders view the summit as an opportunity to relay their message on Gaza to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. Erdogan highlighted the fact that because the Muslim and Arab world failed to respond in a timely manner to Israel’s aggression that the situation is at a breaking point. Erdogan commented: “We see the futility of a two-state solution by seeking the Israeli government’s consent.” He added that the Israeli government banning UNRWA is proof that it wants to “eliminate a two-state solution and prevent the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland.” Erdogan called on Muslim states to “spearhead steps that can be taken to stop Israel.” Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country is suffering an “existential” crisis, criticizing countries meddling in internal affairs in Lebanon “supporting this or that group.”
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