JEDDAH - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday affirmed that the basic law of portraying Israel as the “Nation State of the Jewish People” is a new genocidal plan against the Palestinians and a flagrant threat to the will and resolutions of the international community, describing it as illegitimate, void and racist.

This came in the Kingdom’s speech, delivered by its permanent representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Zuhair Al-Edrisi, during the meeting of the OIC permanent representatives held in Jeddah upon the request of the Kingdom to discuss the new Israeli basic law. “This law represents a racist discrimination against the Palestinians who are the original landowners, and this plan is a model of terrorism and racism,” he said.

“Upon its historic responsibilities and pioneering role, the Kingdom affirms that Palestine is the central cause for the Arab and Islamic nations and confirms the necessity of peace as a strategic choice. The Kingdom also calls for finding a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative launched in 2002 upon Saudi Arabia’s suggestion,” he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of OIC Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen appreciated the Kingdom’s initiative to convene a meeting of OIC’s Permanent Delegates Committee to discuss the Israeli basic law and its impact on political and historical rights of the Palestinian people.

Inaugurating the OIC meeting on Wednesday, he said the Kingdom’s call emphasizes that the cause of Palestine and Jerusalem is at the forefront of its interests and political initiatives under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. It is an extension of the Kingdom’s relentless efforts to achieve OIC’s goals and reflect the commitment of its member states for defending the rights of the Palestinian people and supporting their just cause,” he added. -- SG/SPA