Strong Saudi Reaction to Remarks by US Ambassador to Israel

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its dissatisfaction, strong condemnation and firm rejection of what it described as the “irresponsible” remarks made by the US ambassador in the occupied territories.

According to Rokna, the ministry stated in a statement: “Saudi Arabia completely rejects these irresponsible remarks; statements that constitute a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter and diplomatic norms. The issuance of such comments by a US official represents a dangerous approach and reflects disregard for the strong relations between the countries of the region and the United States.”

Citing the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Foreign Ministry warned: “This extremist approach carries grave consequences and, by provoking the countries of the region and their peoples and marginalizing the foundations of the international system, threatens international peace and security — foundations upon which the nations of the world agreed in order to end the bloody wars that have claimed the lives of millions.”

Riyadh also called on the US State Department to “clearly declare its position regarding this unacceptable view, which has been rejected by all peace-loving countries of the world.”

Saudi Arabia further reaffirmed its “firm and principled position in rejecting any action that undermines the sovereignty of countries, their borders and their territorial integrity,” and stressed that the only path to achieving a “just and comprehensive peace” is ending the occupation based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The US ambassador in Tel Aviv had claimed in a media interview that the Israeli regime has a “religious right” to dominate vast parts of the Middle East.

He made the remarks in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.

During the interview, Carlson, referring to the imagined concept of “Greater Israel” and citing parts of the Book of Genesis in the Bible — in which a territorial promise “from the Nile to the Euphrates” is mentioned — asked Huckabee whether he agreed with the view that the Israeli regime has a right to territories including Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

In response, Mike Huckabee said: “It would be good if they (the Israeli regime) took control of everything,” a phrase that has been interpreted as implicit endorsement of such a view.

Map of Greater Israel