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Photo: Reuters
Prince Turki al-Faisal in rare meeting with Israeli Deputy FM Ayalon
Photo: Reuters

Saudis: No talks before Israel returns land

Prince Turki al-Faisal rules out any engagement with Jewish state until it withdraws to 1967 borders. 'For us to take any steps toward normalization would undermine international law and turn a blind eye to immorality,' he says in Washington speech

After peace talks with the Palestinians have been stalemated after the end of the settlement construction freeze, a leading member of Saudi Arabia's royal family has clarified that his country has no plans to not negotiate with Israel anytime soon.

 

Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former Saudi ambassador to the United States, said in a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington on Thursday that Saudi Arabia will refuse to "directly or indirectly engage with Israel" until it leaves all land captured during the 1967 Six-Day War  .

 

The remarks, quoted by the Washington Post, dash any hopes the Obama administration might have had for rapprochement between two of the Americans' major weapon importers before a final peace deal with the Palestinians.

 

"For us to take any steps toward any form of normalization with the Israeli state before these Arab lands have been returned to their rightful legitimate owners would undermine international law and turn a blind eye to immorality," the Saudi prince said.

 

Although he is not a member of the Saudi government, Prince Turki is considered a candidate to replace his ailing brother, Saud al-Faisal, as foreign minister.

 

In his speech, Turki stressed that since 2002 his country has led an Arab effort to recognize Israel if it reaches agreements on the return of the territories, including east Jerusalem, and a "just settlement" of claims by Palestinian refugees. 

 

He also warned against a return of the "neoconservative philosophy," in an usual reference to US politics.

 

He said that under the policies of President Obama, many Americans may have believed "that the neocon movement has died, the victim of its own failed, delusional ambitions. But this recent election will give more fodder for these warmongers to pursue their favorite exercise, war-making."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.05.10, 10:08
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