Al-Faisal: Netanyahu is Arrogant & Israel Responsible for What’s Happening in Gaza
“Without sanctioning regime none of these things will work,” were Saudi Former Intelligence Head Turki Al-Faisal’s words during Manama Dialogue 2023, speaking of Gaza.
Al-Faisal argued that if Israel can do what it is doing now without accountability, then why should it do anything that meets the international community’s requirements.
Consequently, no further steps like humanitarian aid or efforts for two states, security or elections will be successful if Israel doesn’t face sanctions for not abiding by the international community’s requirements, added Al-Faisal.
Highlighting the necessity of these sanctions, Al-Faisal said that this is the precondition for any effective means that can bring a meaningful resolution to the table.
Speaking of equal security for both, the former intelligence head stressed that as much as this security should be given to Israel, it should also be granted to the Palestinian people. This is in order “to prevent such attacks on them as is happening across the board now in both the West bank and Gaza”.
Both Hamas & Israel Have to Work on Themselves
“I have been calling for many years that the Palestinians have to put their house in order’” said Al-Faisal.
Proving his point, he recalled the 2006 Saudi-Arabia-brokered agreement between Hamas and Fatah but Hamas violated the agreement later on.
“If Israel thinks they can wipe out Hamas I think they’re mistaken and tragically so because the price for that is the killing of more civilians in Gaza,” added Al-Faisal, slamming Israel’s claims of trying to end Hamas.
While the former intelligence head believes that Palestine’s problem lies within, on the other side of the so-called Iron Wall, Israel’s problem is not responding to the outside world, hence its complete disregard of organizations like the United Nations.
Consequently “if the five permanent members can take necessary measures to force Israelis to abide by the international norms on such activity by the United Nations then I think we can reach some sensible arrangements”.
Al-Faisal : October 7 was Third Intifada
The third intifada’s roots date back to a year ago when the lsraeli government began it’s assaults on Jerusalem and the West Bank. It was arresting Palestinians and attacking their homes. At that time there was talk that there might be a third intifada.
“Well the third identifada happened to be in Gaza which was Hamas’ attack on Israel,” explained Al-Faisal.
The international community has to deal with this intifada by more than talking; it needs effective measures.
Just Like Iran, Israel Supports Hamas
Touching on Iran’s role, the intelligence head said that he does not “expect that there will be any expansion of the role of Iran in supporting Hamas. They have already done their job, they have been supporting Hamas over the past few years”.
Underscoring the irony, Al-Faisal said that Israel, as well, backs Hamas.
Israel’s banks were facilitating the transfer of money from Qatar to Gaza. Nobody was asking “where that money is going and who’s going to receive it”.
“So if you’re all looking for someone to blame for what happened in Gaza I think we can equally say that Israel is to blame for that,” stated Al-Faisal.
Al-Faisal relentlessly attacking Netanyahu
The Former Intelligence head concluded his talk by relentlessly attacking Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Particularly mister Netanyahu in his arrogance and in his blindness to the reality, thinks that he is outsmarting everybody,” said Al-Faisal.
He added “I just hope that voters will not put him back in office or will not choose someone even more awful than he is, if there is an election in Israel. We still have to see and wait and if lsrael will hold an election.”
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