Saudi FM Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Says Palestinians Face ‘Horrific Genocide’ Under Israel
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan,
delivered a powerful condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza during
his speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), declaring that
Palestinians are facing a “horrific genocide.” His remarks came amid increasing
international scrutiny of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with widespread
calls for urgent intervention to halt the ongoing violence and suffering
inflicted on Palestinians.
At the outset of his address on September 27, 2025, Prince
Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to international law and the
principles of the UN Charter, affirming the Kingdom’s role as a founding member
of the UN. He highlighted that the Kingdom continuously strives to translate
these principles into practical actions by promoting peace, security, and
cooperation globally. His speech sharply criticized the “unprecedented”
humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the “unchecked practices” of Israel’s
occupation forces.
Grave Violations and Systematic Atrocities
Prince Faisal described the situation in Gaza as follows:
“The Palestinian people are enduring starvation, forced
displacement, and systematic killing by the occupying forces. These acts are
being perpetrated in complete disregard of the historic and legal rights of the
Palestinian people with an aim to erase their legitimate rights.”
His words echoed international reports, including a recent
UN commission that confirmed Israel’s acts in Gaza amounted to genocide under
international law.
The foreign minister stressed the urgent need for global
intervention to stop what he called “the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” calling on
the international community to ensure the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid
to the starving population. He warned that failure to act would only escalate
war crimes and mass atrocities, deepening instability across the region and
beyond.
International Community’s Role and Two-State Solution
Prince Faisal firmly asserted that addressing the
Palestinian issue requires adherence to international legality and legitimacy.
He condemned efforts to handle the conflict outside these frameworks,
stating,
“The continued handling of the question of Palestine outside
the frameworks of law and international legitimacy is what prolonged the
violence and deepened the suffering.”
The minister called for immediate de-escalation and
political dialogue as the only path to peace.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in
international efforts, including launching an international coalition with
Norway and the European Union aimed at implementing the two-state solution.
Along with co-chairing the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful
Settlement of the Palestinian Question with France, Saudi Arabia has been at
the forefront of diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the occupation and
establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with
East Jerusalem as its capital.
Saudi Arabia supports the growing number of countries
recognizing Palestinian statehood, seeing this as a crucial step towards
legitimizing Palestinian sovereignty and promoting reforms within the
Palestinian Authority. Prince Faisal stressed,
“It is time to find a just and lasting solution to the
Palestinian issue. Military escalation will not achieve peace or security.”
Warning Against Regional Destabilization
Prince Faisal issued a stark warning regarding the
consequences of continued Israeli aggression and international inaction. He
said,
“The failure of the international community to take firm
actions to end the Israeli aggression and violations will only cause further
instability and insecurity regionally and globally… and will escalate war
crimes and acts of genocide.”
His message underscored Saudi Arabia’s view that unchecked
violence in Palestine undermines the entire region’s security and threatens
global peace.
The Foreign Minister also condemned specific recent Israeli
military actions, including attacks that killed civilians indiscriminately and
efforts to displace Palestinian communities forcibly. Riyadh has repeatedly
denounced Israeli policies it views as ethnic cleansing and violations of human
rights, and this speech reinforced those accusations with increased urgency.
Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Consequences
Saudi Arabia remains deeply concerned about the dire
humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Prince Faisal noted that Gaza is enduring
famine, with borders effectively closed, preventing critical humanitarian aid
and supplies from reaching millions. The minister criticized Israel’s blockade
and restrictions as a “policy of starvation,” highlighting the catastrophic
effects on civilians, particularly women and children.
Saudi Arabia has contributed substantial humanitarian aid to
the Palestinian territories, exceeding billions of dollars over recent years.
The Kingdom calls on the international community to scale up its support to
alleviate the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict and to support
reconstruction efforts when peace is achieved.
Support for Multilateralism and International Law
In his speech, Prince Faisal also reinforced Saudi Arabia’s
strong belief in multilateralism as the mechanism to resolve global crises. He
articulated Riyadh’s dedication to promoting international peace, security, and
cooperation by upholding the UN Charter’s standards.
He stated,
“Saudi Arabia strives to translate the principles of the UN
Charter into tangible reality by promoting respect for international law,
enhancing international peace and security, and supporting multilateral
cooperation.”
This stance frames Saudi Arabia as a key player advocating
for peaceful, lawful resolutions to conflicts, including the Palestinian
struggle.
Broader Diplomatic Context and Regional Stability
The Foreign Minister’s remarks come at a time when the
Middle East remains fraught with tension and conflict. Saudi Arabia, as a
leading regional actor, continues to push for de-escalation and dialogue while
condemning any acts that threaten peace. Prince Faisal reaffirmed that peace
and security in the region are intertwined with resolving the Palestinian
question and respecting Palestinian rights.
He also acknowledged recent diplomatic advances toward
normalizing relations between Arab states and Israel but reiterated Saudi
Arabia’s condition that any such agreements must be premised on achieving a
fair and comprehensive peace grounded in international law. Saudi Arabia
continues to condition potential normalization with Israel on the realization
of Palestinian rights and statehood.
Urgency for Peace and Justice
Prince Faisal’s UN speech encapsulates Saudi Arabia’s firm
position that the ongoing violence against Palestinians constitutes a “horrific
genocide” that demands immediate global action. His call for lifting the siege
on Gaza, ending Israeli military aggression, and reinvigorating the two-state
solution reflects broad Saudi foreign policy objectives to secure peace, uphold
human rights, and restore stability to the Middle East.
His assertions place considerable pressure on the
international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities. The
Kingdom’s increased diplomatic activism and humanitarian contributions
underscore its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and ensuring a
durable peace based on justice.
