Leaders of Muslim countries sitting at the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, rejected Israel’s pretext of self-defense. He also condemned the barbaric actions of Israeli forces in Gaza.
The outcome of a joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit on Saturday highlighted regional divisions over the response to the war. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the summit was held against a backdrop of widespread outrage over Israel’s air and ground attacks in the Middle East and Gaza. Al Jazeera.
Leaders at the conference called on the UN Security Council to adopt a decisive and binding resolution to end Israel’s aggression. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman considered establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel before the war. However, in his opening speech at the summit, he held the Israeli authorities responsible for the crimes committed against the Palestinian people. He also called for an immediate end to the military operation in Gaza and the release of all prisoners. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said, “No Middle East country should engage in any political process with Israel to improve economic relations until a long-term ceasefire is reached.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ‘It is a shame that Western countries, which always talk about human rights and freedom, remain silent during the ongoing genocide in Palestine.’ Some countries, including Algeria and Lebanon, have threatened to cut off oil supplies to Israel and its allies, as well as sever economic and diplomatic ties with Israel and Arab League countries, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel and its main backer, the United States, have so far rejected demands for a ceasefire.
