Broad condemnation of Israeli 'crimes' in Gaza during Arab League summit; Iranian president calls for Israel's destruction

The Arab League, in cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, convened an emergency meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss Israel's ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

Summit leaders from Arab and Muslim countries issued broad condemnation of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, accusing the Jewish state of committing “crimes” and “terrorism” against the population.

They demanded that the UN Security Council adopt a “decisive and binding resolution” to stop Israeli “aggression” in Gaza.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took things a step further, claiming the solution for stopping Israel's military action in Gaza was to establish an Arab state from the “River to the sea,” a common phrase alluding to Israel's destruction.

“We want to take a historic and decisive decision regarding what is happening in the Palestinian territories. Killing civilians and bombing hospitals are manifestations of Israeli crimes in Gaza. Today, everyone must decide which side they stand on,” Raisi said.

In addition, Muslim leaders called for an end of weapons sales to Israel and opposed any political settlement that would separate Gaza from the West Bank.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) stated that he “holds the occupation (Israeli) authorities responsible for the crimes committed against the Palestinian people.”

“We are certain that the only way to guarantee security, peace and stability in the region is to end the occupation, siege, and the settlements,” MBS added.

In late September, mere weeks before the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre, the Saudi crown prince told Fox News that normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is getting “closer every day.”

However, at the time, MBS had also stressed the need for a two-state solution.

"For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part. And we have good negotiations that continue,” MBS said.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan blasted Western nations for not putting a stop to Israel’s “massacres” in Gaza.

“It is a shame that Western countries, which always talk about human rights and freedoms, remain silent in the face of the ongoing massacres in Palestine,” the Turkish leader claimed.

The more extreme Muslim leaders called for severing political and commercial ties with the Jewish state.

However, this proposal was rejected by Arab states that have normalized ties with Jerusalem such as Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.