Watan-The Saudi position was articulated by the Saudi Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih, during his statements at the “Bloomberg” New Economy Forum in Singapore. During a panel discussion at the “Bloomberg” New Economy Forum held in Singapore, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih expressed his sympathy and sorrow for the Israeli casualties in the “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” carried out by the Palestinian resistance. However, he did not utter a single condemnation for the crimes of the occupation, limiting his remarks to general statements about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Al-Falih also emphasized in his statements that the normalization of relations with Israel is still on the table, indicating that normalization is always conditional on reaching a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue.
Saudi Arabia expresses solidarity with the occupation, and the normalization project is still ongoing.
In his English-language intervention, he said, “It is unfortunate that we meet now as crises escalate around the world, especially in the Middle East, where I come from.”
He added, expressing his sadness for the loss of Israeli lives without condemning the occupation’s crimes: “We have been saddened and pained by the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, just as we have been pained for those who lost their lives on the other side on October 7th.”
Khalid Al-Falih also responded to a question about the normalization project between Saudi Arabia and Israel following “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” stating, “This matter has been on the table and remains on the table.”
The Saudi minister continued, stating, “It is evident that the setback that occurred last month clarified the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s insistence that resolving the conflict should be part of broader normalization in the Middle East.
Al-Falih reassures Israel: We will not use the oil weapon.
The Saudi Minister of Investment also affirmed that the Kingdom is not currently considering the possibility of using the oil weapon to exert pressure for reaching an agreement to cease fire in Gaza.
In this context, Al-Falih stated to the American agency “Bloomberg,” in response to a question about whether Riyadh would use economic tools, including oil prices, to exert pressure for an agreement to cease fire in Gaza: “This matter is not currently under discussion. Saudi Arabia is seeking peace through peaceful discussions.”
It is worth noting that the positions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, have moved beyond hesitation and silence to complicity and possibly alliance with Israel to eliminate Palestinian resistance and expedite normalization, according to analysts.
While the ethnic cleansing in Gaza continues, the Saudi government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, content itself with attempting to express mere condemnation and employing soft rhetoric towards the occupier.