Saudi Prince MBS says Israel should ‘respect sovereignty of Iran’, condemns ‘genocide against Palestinian people’

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) issued a rare direct criticism of Israel at the recent joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Riyadh on Monday. 

In his opening remarks, MBS told the summit attendees that the international community should “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon.” 

“We call on the international community to uphold its responsibility to maintain international peace and security by immediately ending the Israeli aggression against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” MBS stated. 

The OIC summit in Riyadh was convened specifically to address the situations in Gaza and Lebanon.

“The kingdom renews its call for a categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people,” the Saudi crown prince said, using some of the most critical language he has personally employed since the start of the Gaza War. 

MBS also said the Saudi Kingdom “affirms its support for the brothers in Palestine and Lebanon to overcome the disastrous humanitarian consequences of the ongoing Israeli aggression.” 

He further stated that Israel’s actions are “undermining the pivotal role of the Palestinian National Authority” as well as “efforts to obtain the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in establishing peace in the region.” 

The comments echo remarks that MBS made in October and represent a growing willingness to criticize Israel openly. Earlier in the war, the prince appeared more reticent to explicitly accuse Israel of genocide, calling instead an end to the war and a resumption of peace efforts based on a two-state solution. 

The prime minister and acting head of state also called for international pressure to force Israel to respect the sovereignty of Iran. 

After urging the international community to end “the Israeli aggression” in Gaza and Lebanon, MBS said it must make sure that Israel “respects the sovereignty of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran and refrains from attacking its territories.” 

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the international community must ensure that Israel respects the sovereignty of Iran at a joint Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh.#SaudiArabia #MBS #Riyadh #ArabLeague #OIC pic.twitter.com/y1wYifE0HC

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) November 11, 2024

The strong statements by MBS were perceived by some as moving away from American efforts to negotiate an agreement between the kingdom and Israel, which had been underway during former President Donald Trump’s previous term. While the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has continued talks with Saudi Arabia, no significant obstacles remain. 

There were significant rumors and reports shortly before the start of the Iron Sword War that Saudi Arabia and Israel were close to a normalization deal. Hamas documents discovered by IDF soldiers in Gaza indicate that the terror group was deeply concerned by this development. 

Saudi Arabia and Iran also agreed to normalize relations last year, after years of severed diplomatic ties, further complicating an attempt by President-elect Trump to resume negotiations between the two countries. 

On Tuesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry released a statement of resolutions made during the summit. The ministry said that “a two-state solution is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.” 

#Riyadh | Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan: A two-state solution is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. https://t.co/8ElP8SK3g7 pic.twitter.com/gP0vqDtq5y

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) November 12, 2024

The “Resolution Issued by the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit” called for the establishment of "an independent, sovereign state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Al-Quds as its capital, and the right of refugees to return and to compensation in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.”