At a United Nations Security Council debate, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed el-Khereji advocated for the creation of an independent Palestinian state to safeguard Palestinian rights. He condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians and rejected Israel’s claims of self-defense as justification for ongoing bombings in Gaza.
The Saudi official criticized the UN’s handling of the situation and urged the Security Council to take decisive action to end Israeli military aggression. He highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where recent reports indicate severe food insecurity and mass displacement.
El-Khereji also expressed concerns about the conflict’s potential to destabilize the broader Middle East, especially with increasing military tensions in the Red Sea region involving the Houthis and the US and UK. Saudi Arabia’s priority, he said, is to halt military operations and pursue peace and security in the region, while urging all parties to adhere to international law.