RIYADH — Saudi Arabia led the Islamic world's condemnation of Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territories causing death and destruction during an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Chairing the meeting, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan accused Israel of committing flagrant violations against the Palestinians, calling for an immediate end to the Israeli escalation in Palestine. "The Kingdom categorically rejects the Israeli violations against the Palestinians ... and calls for an immediate end to the Israeli escalation." Prince Faisal also said that Saudi Arabia condemns the "forcible" evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. "East Jerusalem is a Palestinian land that we do not accept any harm to it," he added. The Saudi foreign minister called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in checking Israel's violations. Prince Faisal also said that Saudi Arabia renews its support for the Arab Peace Initiative, which guarantees Palestinians' right to a state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Prince Faisal added. Speaking during the meeting, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki termed the Israeli actions as an assault on Arabs, Muslims and international norms. Al-Maliki stressed that Palestinians are facing Israeli apartheid in their homeland and they are being uprooted from their lands and rights." "Israeli settlers are targeting Palestinian homes in the West Bank and Jerusalem," the Palestinian foreign minister added. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser A-Sabah said Israel's crimes in East Jerusalem are a violation of all international humanitarian laws. Israeli escalation threatens the security and stability of the region, he added. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned Israel's forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem, saying it constitutes as a "war crime."
