King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Saturday exhorted the Palestinians to unite since their rivalry would only lead to more dispersal than what Zionism has caused them. “As a Muslim, I beg of my Muslim brothers to renounce the devil and unite,” the King said. “Such an act will reinforce them, reinforce us and reinforce all Arabs. “I beg of them not to compete, not to drive themselves into suicide and not to be self-centered. They must deny themselves in the service of their religion and homeland, Palestine.” The King made the heartfelt appeal during a discussion with Shoura Council members led by Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid and Vice-Chairman Dr. Bandar Bin Mohammed Hamza at Al-Yamamah Palace here. Also present were the King's advisers Prince Abdul-Ellah Bin Abdul Aziz, Prince Mansour Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz, Prince Dr. Bandar Bin Salman Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, and Abdulmohsen Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri. At the outset, Bin Humaid lauded the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his efforts at the recent Kuwait Summit to unite Arab ranks, recalling his announcement on behalf of all the need for overcoming differences and uniting all Arabs to face the future together. The Shoura chairman noted how the King, in announcing a donation of $1 billion on behalf of the Saudi people for the reconstruction of Gaza, had said that “whatsoever be the amount, it will not be equivalent to one drop of Palestinian blood.” Bin Humaid concluded his speech by congratulating the King for being honored on Thursday by the World Food Program as “Champion in the Battle Against Hunger.” Thanking the audience, the King replied: “I did not say anything except what my religious duty, national duty and Arab character dictate. “My brothers, I have shouldered this issue, having repeatedly confronted the devil and reason day and night for many years. Thanks to Allah, I decided to use reason and shun the devil. Thanks to Allah, I managed to confront myself. You all know it is hard to rid oneself of desires and Satan. However, above those are God's will and then faith, sincerity and confidence in my people and everyone who cares for his Arab, Islamic and ethical responsibilities. Allah helped me and I managed to achieve what you have already heard. It did not stem from vanity or from hypocrisy. I neither ask for anything nor want anyone to say that I have done that. This is the truth and this is what I, your brother, have said. Thank you.” A dialogue with the visitors followed during which the King answered questions and talked about the medical assistance given to the Palestinians. The King reiterated on his keenness on reviving the Saudi, Arab and Muslim spirit. “There is no doubt that this is a duty. We are required to do more and more,” the King said as he went on to appeal to the rival Hamas and Fatah factions to unite. The session ended with the King stressing on the great relationship between the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said he takes pride in such an equilibrium. “I am nothing without my people, I am an individual,” the King said.
