RIYADH | SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, slammed the Palestinian leadership for criticizing the decision of some Gulf states to normalize ties with Israel.
In an interview with Saudi – owned Al Arabia television aired on Monday, the price labeled the Palestinian authorities’ criticism a ‘transgression’ and ‘reprehensible discourse’.
‘The Palestinian cause is just cause but its advocates are failures, and the Israeli cause is unjust but its advocated have proven to be successful. That sums up the events of the last 70 or 75 years’, he said in the first of a three-part airing of the interview.
‘There is something that successive Palestinian leadership historically share in common: they always bet on the losing side, and that comes at a price’.
The United Arab Emirates agreed a historic deal to normalize relations with Israel in August, and the Gulf state of Bahrain, a close Saudi ally, followed suit in September.
Palestinians fear the moves will weaken a long-standing pan – Arab position – known as the Arab Peace Initiatives – that calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab states.
President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian leadership regarded the UAE’s move as ‘a betrayal’. Veteran Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi told Reuters the deal was ‘a complete sell-out’.
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has not directly commented on the normalization deals, but has said it remains committed to peace on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative.
Prince Bandar noted the decades-long support of successive Saudi kings to the Palestinian cause and said the Palestinian people should remember that the kingdom has always been there for them to offer help and advice.
‘This low level of discourse is not what we expect from officials who seek to gain global support for their cause’, he said.
While Saudi Arabia is not expected to follow the example of its Gulf allies any time soon, experts and diplomats believe the kingdom has started shifting the public discourse on Israel.
Prince Bandar’s daughter, Princess Reema, is the current Saudi ambassador to the United States.
Saudi – Led Coalition Says It Intercepts Houthi Drone Fired At Southern Saudi Arabia
The Saudi – led coalition fighting Houthi forces in Yemen said on Tuesday it had destroyed an explosive drone fired towards Khamis Mushait in the south of Saudi Arabia. A military spokesman for the Iran – aligned Houthi group then said they had fired a drone at and hit Abha International Airpot, which is near … More Saudi – Led Coalition Says It Intercepts Houthi Drone Fired At Southern Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, China’s Xi Discuss Cooperation In Phone Call
China’s President Xi Jinping told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday that Beijing was willing to push its strategic partnership with Riyadh ‘to a new level’, the official Chinese Xinhua news agency reported. In a phone call, the two leaders discussed boosting cooperation in energy, trade and technology, Xinhua added. China’s crude … More Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, China’s Xi Discuss Cooperation In Phone Call
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Crown Prince Donate Total of $7.9 Mln To Charity
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have donated a total of $7.9 million (SR 30 million) to charity through the Kingdom’s Ehsan Platform, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday. King Salman donated $5.3 million (SR20 million) for charitable and non – profitable works, while the Crown Prince contributed … More Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Crown Prince Donate Total of $7.9 Mln To Charity
Prince Mishaal Bin Majed Appointed Adviser To The King Salman
King Salman on Thursday appointed Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as adviser to the king, with the rank of minister, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Prince Mishaal has been governor of Jeddah since 1997 and a member of the Allegiance Council since 2007. He is president of the governing council of … More Prince Mishaal Bin Majed Appointed Adviser To The King Salman
U.S. Imposes Wide Array Of Sanctions On Russia For ‘Malign’ Actions
The Unites States on Thursday imposed a boar array of sanctions on Russia to punish it for election interference, cyber – hacking, bullying Ukraine and other ‘malign’ acts. The measures blacklisted Russian companies, expelled Russian diplomats and placed limits on the Russian sovereign debt market in steps sure to anger Moscow. Among the actions, President … More U.S. Imposes Wide Array Of Sanctions On Russia For ‘Malign’ Actions
Queen Elizabeth Returns To Royal Duties Four Days After Her Husband’s Death – PM Media
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth return to royal duties on Tuesday, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in an event to mark the retirement of her household’s most senior official, PA Media reported. The queen hosted a ceremony as the Earl Peel stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, the report added. Philip, who has … More Queen Elizabeth Returns To Royal Duties Four Days After Her Husband’s Death – PM Media
Arab Coalition Destroys Houthi Drone Targeting Saudi Arabia
The Arab coalition destroyed a Houthi explosive – laden drone launched toward Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Al – Ekhbariya reported. The drone targeting Jazan is the latest in a long line of attacks against the Kingdom by the Iran – back Houthi militia. The coalition said the attack is a continuation of the Houthi’s systematic … More Arab Coalition Destroys Houthi Drone Targeting Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Celebrates Ramadan With Cultural Events, Activities
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with a wide selection of cultural events and interactive activities. Ithra is offering visitors a chance to take part in events focused on national traditions and Saudi Arabian heritage, as well as different interactive workshops. The centre’s Ramadan program also includes a collection … More Saudi Arabia’s Ithra Celebrates Ramadan With Cultural Events, Activities
Reuters Names Alessandra Galloni As Its Next Editor – In – Chief
Reuters News has name one of its top editors, Alessandra Galloni, as it its next editor-in-chief, the first woman to lead the global – spanning news agency in its 170-year history. A native of Rome, Galloni, 47, will replace Stephen J. Adler, who is retiring this month after leading the newsroom for the past decade. … More Reuters Names Alessandra Galloni As Its Next Editor – In – Chief
Britain’s Prince Philip Has Died
Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth who played a leading figure in the British royal family for almost seven decades, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday. The Duke of Edniburgh, as he was been y his wife’s side through her 69-year reign, the longest in British history, during which time he … More Britain’s Prince Philip Has Died
