JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia yesterday called on the international community to help stop Israel’s killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians and demanded the immediate pullback of Israeli troops from Gaza. “Saudi Arabia will stand by their Palestinian brethren at all levels to protect their entity and rights,” the Council of Ministers said in a statement yesterday, describing Israel’s war on Gaza as genocide.
The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, expressed its deep concern over the continuing Israeli atrocities on unarmed civilians.
“The situation in Gaza demands decisive international intervention to put an end to this human catastrophe,” the Cabinet said in the statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Cabinet meeting urged the international community to pressure Israel to implement the UN Security Council resolution that calls for both sides to return to an immediate cease-fire.
The Cabinet expressed its optimism over US President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to move quickly in search of a just solution for the Palestinian cause.
“We look forward to the upcoming American administration being more serious, objective and neutral in its handling of the Palestinian issue,” the statement said.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet King Abdullah in Riyadh today, SPA said. The two leaders will “discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest as well as bilateral relations,” the agency added.
Saudi Arabia has been in the forefront of Muslim nations in providing relief to Gazans reeling under the Israeli war machine. A nationwide fundraising campaign ordered by King Abdullah has so far collected more than SR188 million. The amount does not include the value of in-kind donations such as jewelry, foodstuffs, medicine, tents and blankets.
Saed Al-Harithy, head of the Saudi relief campaign for Gazans, said the Kingdom was sending relief supplies to Gaza by air and land. “All relief supplies have reached Gaza but the enormity of the damage caused by the Israeli blitz demands more assistance,” he said.
The Kingdom has established a land bridge to transport relief supplies to Gaza. Al-Harithy launched the first phase of the project during a function at Hyper Panda in Moruj district of Riyadh. A convoy of 59 large trucks carrying 760 tons of foodstuffs, medicine and 30 ambulances was dispatched to Gaza during the event. “We are still welcoming donations from Saudis and expatriates for Gazans. Prospective donors can deposit their money in the joint account No. 33 at National Commercial Bank,” he said.
