Prince Faisal Ben Farhan poured cold water on the momentum of normalization with Israel, saying his country remained committed to the Arab peace initiative • The minister called the sovereignty program in Judea and Samaria an "illegitimate step"
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud // Photo: Reuters
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said today (Wednesday) that his country remains committed to the Arab peace initiative and that unilateral measures by Israel endanger any chance for peace.
The foreign minister, quoted by the state-run Ahabria news agency, said: "Saudi Arabia remains committed to the Arab peace initiative. Israel's unilateral approach jeopardizes any possible chance for peace." Ben Farhan said his country sees the possibility of annexation by Israel as an "illegitimate step."
The minister also referred to Iran and criticized the conduct of the Islamic Republic and its attempt to get its hands on nuclear weapons. "The arms embargo on Iran must continue," the foreign minister said in connection with the vote on the arms embargo on Tehran.
The foreign minister's remarks cool hopes for a deepening of ties with Saudi Arabia, following the United Arab Emirates' announcement of establishing relations with Jerusalem. It was Saudi Arabia that introduced the Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes the normalization of Arab states with Israel in exchange for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
