Saudi Arabia affirms support for Palestine after attacks on Al-Aqsa, says OIC envoy
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Alaina
- . January 12, 2023
- . Update: January 12, 2023 3:55 pm
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has affirmed support for the Palestinian people, the permanent representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Saleh Al-Suhaibani, said.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saleh Al-Suhaibani called for the need to further intensify international efforts to end the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Al-Suhaibani said that the Palestinian cause represented “the main pillar of the OIC’s work.” He highlighted the importance of enhancing the stability of the entire region.
Reportedly, an extraordinary meeting of the open-ended executive committee was held in Jeddah, a city in Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, to discuss the “Israeli attacks” on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Palestinian and Jordanian delegations requested the meeting. It was held in coordination and consultation with Saudi Arabia. Al-Suhaibani attended the meeting to discuss attacks on the Mosque. He chaired the meeting in the presence of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha.
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During the meeting, he slammed the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists. Subsequently, he called on the international community to quickly resolve the current situation. He further added, “Saudi Arabia affirms its firm position on the need to provide full protection for Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
He went on to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts toward the Palestinian cause. He reiterated the Kingdom’s full standing by the Palestinian people.
He said that the continuous attacks by Israel constitute a provocation to millions of Muslims, and create instability in the entire region.
Last week, world leaders slammed Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, and the United States said that the trip could harm the status quo. Jordan, the custodian of al-Aqsa and other Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, said that the visit violated international law. Jordan also summoned the Israeli ambassador.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the visit was an attempt to convert the mosque “into a Jewish temple.”
