Wow, things are really moving fast. The NYT has published a must read Op-Ed by Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi ambassador, titled Veto a State, Lose an Ally stating if the U.S. doesn’t support the Palestinian bid for statehood, Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with the U.S. as it has in the past. Referencing the peace process as an “epic injustice” and “fruitless” al-Faisal also writes the least we can do is “step aside”:
Jidda, Saudi Arabia
The United States must support the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations this month or risk losing the little credibility it has in the Arab world. If it does not, American influence will decline further, Israeli security will be undermined and Iran will be empowered, increasing the chances of another war in the region.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with America in the same way it historically has. With most of the Arab world in upheaval, the “special relationship” between Saudi Arabia and the United States would increasingly be seen as toxic by the vast majority of Arabs and Muslims, who demand justice for the Palestinian people.
Saudi leaders would be forced by domestic and regional pressures to adopt a far more independent and assertive foreign policy.
…….
American support for Palestinian statehood is therefore crucial, and a veto will have profound negative consequences. In addition to causing substantial damage to American-Saudi relations and provoking uproar among Muslims worldwide, the United States would further undermine its relations with the Muslim world, empower Iran and threaten regional stability. Let us hope that the United States chooses the path of justice and peace.
He certainly doesn’t mince words. Turki al-Faisal was once Director General of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence agency and is the nephew of King Abdullah.
And this is from Ami Kaufman at +972: “King Abdullah II of Jordan used some harsh words against Israel yesterday:”
“Jordan and Palestine’s future (prospects) are stronger than Israel today and that it is the Israeli who is afraid now. When I was in the United States, an Israeli intellectual talked to me and said that what is going on in the Arab world is in the best interest of Israel; but I answered him and said: on the contrary; your situation today is harder than ever before.
“We support the Palestinian people right to a Palestinian state; our political stance did not and will not change and that the alternative homeland issue must not be part of the discussion.”
(hat tip Anna Rogers)
