Source Credit: Arab News
Former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States Prince Turki Al-Faisal has vehemently denounced Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, calling it "ethnic cleansing." Prince Turki warned that Trump's proposal for the US to occupy Gaza and drive out Palestinians will spark violence and bloodshed in an interview with CNN. He believes that Arab, Muslim, and European countries will strongly oppose the initiative at the UN.
Prince Turki stressed that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is the fundamental problem, which he thinks everyone understands. He maintained that Trump's position is in line with Israeli extremist legislator Itamar Ben-Gvir's beliefs and departs from the prior US policy in favor of a two-state solution.
According to the former ambassador, Saudi authorities would sharply criticize Trump if he traveled to Saudi Arabia over the plan's justice, fairness, and prudence. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has reiterated its commitment to an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, a prerequisite for repairing relations with Israel, despite strong ties and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's promised $600 billion investment in the US.
Prince Turki added that the destruction in Gaza and Trump's proposal would only increase support for organizations like Hamas. He cited his previous October 2023 denunciation of Israel's "indiscriminate bombing of Palestinian innocent civilians in Gaza" and Hamas's attacks on civilians.
