Saudi foreign minister denounces Israel’s north Gaza assault as genocide

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia denounced Israeli attacks in northern Gaza as genocide on Thursday, telling foreign investors that some bilateral agreements it has been negotiating with Washington are “not that tied” to normalisation of its relations with Israel.

Speaking on stage at an investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Israeli actions in northern Gaza could only be described as a form a genocide that was feeding a cycle of violence.

He reiterated the kingdom’s position that it would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state, adding on that proposed step, Saudi Arabia is “quite happy to wait until the situation is amenable,” before moving ahead with normalisation.

“We look at just what’s happening now in north (Gaza) where we have a complete blockade of any access for humanitarian goods coupled with a continued military assault without any real pathway for civilians to find shelter, to find safe zones, that can only be described as a form of genocide,” he said. “It is certainly against humanitarian law, international humanitarian law, and is feeding a continuing cycle of violence.”