By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL – In the new U.S. administration it will be time for a reckoning when it comes to dealing with Arab leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. It’s clear from comments made by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that ‘business as usual’ cannot continue. In a special conference on Gaza held in Riyadh on Monday, with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Summit, bin Salman said: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.” The crown prince’s statement comes amid his support for Iran with its new leader President Masoud Pezeshkian, who told bin Salman in a phone call: “I have no doubt that with measures you take, this meeting will have some effective and tangible results to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime and the war and bloodshed in Gaza and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, bin Salman made his plea to the international community to “compel Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and not to attack (Iranian) territories.”
According to Saudi Arabia’s governmental state agency, a primary goal of the summit was in “unifying positions” and “exerting pressure” on the international community to take concrete steps in ending what it said are “ongoing attacks and to establish lasting peace,” in the region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia was in the process of negotiations for a historic normalization agreement with Israel. Currently, the crown prince made it clear that such an agreement is “off the table” without Palestinian statehood which Israel’s prime minister has outright rejected. Meanwhile, analysts point put that Saudi Arabia has been further developing its relations with Iran. Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute in Washington D.C., Trita Parsi said: “The kingdom is trying to make sure it’s staying out of any war that involves the U.S., Israel and Iran because of domestic anger against Israel from their own populations but also because of the effectiveness of Iranian ballistic missiles.”
Photo : AA
