Saudi Crown put there words on GAZA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has accused Israel of committing “collective genocide” in Gaza, marking his strongest criticism of Israel since the conflict began in 2023. Speaking at an Islamic summit in Riyadh on Monday, MBS condemned Israel’s actions, stating, “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute rejection of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people.” His comments reflect growing frustration across the Arab world over the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties.
This harsh rhetoric contrasts with Saudi Arabia’s previous diplomatic approach, where it had taken a more neutral stance toward Israel, especially in relation to shared concerns about Iran. However, the Crown Prince’s remarks also signal a shift in his position on Iran, which has historically supported Palestinian groups like Hamas. Unlike his 2017 comparison of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler, MBS refrained from criticizing Tehran in this speech, focusing instead on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s condemnation aligns with broader regional sentiment, with many Islamic nations calling for an end to Israel’s military actions and greater international efforts to address the Palestinian cause.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref attended the summit, expressing solidarity by mourning the deaths of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. While Saudi Arabia has supported Palestinian rights, it has consistently opposed Iran-backed militias like Hezbollah and Hamas, particularly due to their destabilizing influence in the region.
The summit included key leaders such as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Together, they condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, signaling a united Arab stance on the crisis. This event underscored Saudi Arabia’s evolving role in the Middle East as it recalibrates its policies on Israel, Iran, and the Palestinian issue.
The two presidents, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Bashar al-Assad of Syria, attended the Riyadh summit, even though the two presidents’ countries are still in an ongoing conflict. Relations have been frayed between Turkey and Syria, particularly over Turkish military operations in northern Syria as well as its support for opposition groups against the Syrian government. The two leaders were present despite the fact that it is not clear whether they get on well with one another, which to some extent mirrors overall regional divisions complicating efforts to achieve the appearance of a unified stance on the crisis.
They defined the summit as having “the stated objective of unifying positions, exerting pressure on the international community, and concrete actions to end the ongoing attacks in Gaza” in their words and to work “towards establishing lasting peace” in the region. Saudi Arabia’s state-run news agency underlined these goals by stating that it is a “coordinated position to be taken against the violence and instability that are spiraling out of control”.
The gathering was an attempt to bring forth Arab and Islamic world leaders as one voice demanding that Israeli military actions stop immediately, and to speak to the overarching humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That said, the underlying divisions in the area, particularly between Turkey and Syria, place into question challenges inherent in an effort to negotiate peace or reach regional rapprochement.
Shehbaz Sharif Arrives in Riyadh to Join Arab-Islamic Summit on Palestinian Issue
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif visited Riyadh to attend the Arab-Islamic Summit on Gaza Crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh on Monday to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit called upon to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza. He was warmly received at Riyadh’s Royal Airport Terminal by Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other high-ranking diplomatic officials, reported the Associated Press of Pakistan.
Federal minister for information and broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, and special assistant to the prime minister, Tariq Fatemi, accompanied the Prime Minister. Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet soon after arrival said: “I will join the leaders of the Muslim Ummah at the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, being convened to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza.” He emphasized, “We shall speak with one voice for the rights of the Palestinian people,” reiterating the long-standing commitment of Pakistan towards regional peace and solidarity with Palestine.
During the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to call for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, immediately and to condemn violence raging there while underlining the urgent necessity for international efforts to end the bloodshed. He will also reiterate Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine and people for this escalating crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Riyadh for the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit. He will meet with OIC and the Arab League leaders to discuss the Gaza escalation crisis and other Middle East affairs. Pakistan is firm on its stance regarding Palestine because a government official declared, “Pakistan’s stance on Palestine remains firm, and we will continue to demand a halt to the genocide taking place in Gaza.”.
It has been scheduled to be held in Riyadh. The summit is considered to be necessary dialogue forum addressing significant regional issues. Apart from talks on Gaza, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif is going to meet with OIC and Arab League heads bilaterally besides making further, more grounded homework on the cause of Palestinians to forge even more firmly the stance of the nation at the issue. The prime minister is further expected to make an immediate call for a ceasefire in the violence which has just begun to infuriate the whole world.
On the visit, he emphasized that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strong relations and added that discussions about economic cooperation are ongoing in fields such as solar energy, mining, and agriculture and investments. “We have a strong partnership with Saudi Arabia, and our discussion on economic cooperation is moving positively,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
The visit follows a series of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, including a recent meeting between Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and Saudi officials, where regional security and defense cooperation were discussed. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had also reaffirmed his support for Pakistan’s development and investment prospects.
The participation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the summit indicates that Pakistan will never compromise on supporting the Palestinian cause, still at the top of Islamabad’s Middle East policy.