IT has been generally observed that the response of Muslim countries in general and that of the Arab countries in particular has been rather lacklustre vis-a-vis Israeli aggression and atrocities against the people of Gaza and Lebanon. It has been observed that the largest anti-Israeli peace rallies took place in European and Western Countries and not in the Muslim world. It was therefore heartwarming that the organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League held a joint meeting in Riyadh on November 13 convened by Saudi Arabia.
The emergency summit highlighted the anxiety of Muslim-majority countries over humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon. The meeting tried to form a consolidated response to end the genocidal war in Gaza and stop Israeli aggression in Lebanon and the West Bank. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman came down hard on Israel. He asserted: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people”.
Contrary to expectations, Saudi Arabia assumed a very assertive role, as a leader of the Muslim world in condemning the Israeli barbarity against the Palestinians. In spite of being a close ally of the US, the Kingdom has recently played a balanced role between Western powers and its regional partners. Saudis were opening up to Tel Aviv in recent years, but Hamas attack on Israel derailed the process. The Saudi have recently called upon Israel, the US and other Western powers to end the genocidal war in Gaza and Lebanon. The pressure from other Muslim countries as well as pressure from its own population may be responsible for Saudi Arabia’s change of mind.
One of the Summit’s central resolutions was a condemnation of Israel’s dehumanizing actions in Gaza. Mohammad bin Salman described the situation as: “Collective genocide against the Palestinian people”. This underlines the gravity with which OIC and the Arab League view the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Both these organizations are demanding immediate international intervention to end the war and rehabilitate the displaced people of Gaza and Lebanon. The summit also demanded an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza to allow delivery of food, water and medical supplies. The summit also urged the intentional community to impose sanctions on Israel for its violation of international law and various UN resolutions.
Leaders from other influential OIC states, such as Turkiye and Pakistan, echoed Saudi Arabia’s stance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoðan criticized Israel’s policies on Gaza as violations of international law and humanitarian principles. Turkiye went beyond verbal rhetoric by denying its airspace to Israel’s President when he sought to use it to attend an international conference Similarly, Pakistani officials reaffirmed their commitment to support Palestinian sovereignty. The voices from across the Muslim world form a broad consensus among OIC-Arab League States against the normalization of relations between Islamic states and Israel. This consensus of Islamic states also points out the double standards of Western powers regarding human rights violations as far as Israel is concerned.
The Riyadh Summit has very significant implications for Saudi – Israel relations. Saudi Arabia has participated in US brokered talks to normalize relations with Israel. But the Gaza war has changed that equation completely and now Saudi Arabia is compelled to prioritize the welfare and rights of the Palestinians. By hosting the Riyadh Summit, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its determination to defend Palestinian interests at all costs. The development may delay or upend the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. This development clearly conveys to the US and Israel that Saudi-Israel relations cannot improve in Isolation to the Palestinian issue. This development underlines Saudi Arabia’s realistic approach to diplomacy. The Kingdom seeks to balance its domestic and international obligation without compromising its vital interests in the region.
The Summit carries important ramifications for US -Saudi ties. Although the US-Saudi ties have historically been very strong. The OIC-Arab League criticism of Washington’s unqualified support for Israel reflects increasing tensions. The call of these Muslim states for the US to maintain a more balanced position on the Israel-Palestine issue indicates these nations’ expectations from the new incoming American Administration. The Riyadh summit’s emphasis on a balanced US stance indicates that unless the US changes its stance, its relationship with Saudi Arabia may suffer, and as a result the US could lose its influence in the region.
Due to this long war, differences in the Israeli Cabinet, as well as, between the Israeli army and the PM are also emerging. The International Court of Justice has issued a warrant of arrest against Netanyahu and his former defense minister—a very significant development. Countries like England and Ireland have even threatened to arrest the Israeli leader, in compliance with the ICJ order, if he visited their country. To put more pressure on Israel and its Western supporters, I believe that it would be helpful if all the Muslim countries, especially the oil-rich Arab Calling Spade, a Spade
It has been generally observed, that the response of Muslim countries in general and that of the Arab countries in particular, have been rather lackluster vis-a vis Israeli aggression and atrocities against the people of Gaza and Lebanon. It has been observed that the largest anti-Israeli peace rallies took place in European and Western countries and not in the Muslim world. It was, therefore, heartwarming that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League held a joint meeting in Riyadh on November 13 convened by Saudi Arabia.
—The writer, based in Islamabad, is a former Health Minister of KP.
