Saudi Arabia's ambassador in Great Britain called on the United States government to carry out its threat to stop arms supplies to Israel if additional humanitarian aid is not allowed into Gaza in the next 30 days, reports "Politico", quoted by News.bg.
In a letter to Israel published this week, Washington issued an ultimatum, warning it could impose restrictions on future aid to the country if the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not addressed.
Speaking on the podcast "Power Play" on "Politico", Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud stressed that the Joe Biden administration must keep its word, saying, "We have to accept that Americans mean what they say."
"In the past, we have seen the US make promises it does not keep, leading to disastrous consequences. As for this conflict, the consequences of not keeping promises will be significantly more serious... No other country can influence Israel the way the United States can," Khalid added.
In his conversation with host Anne McElvoy, the prince sharply criticized the behavior of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Gaza, as well as the escalation of the conflict in southern Lebanon against the fighters of "Hezbollah". He suggested that America should put more pressure on a comprehensive ceasefire. "From the outside, it appears that the Israelis are not listening, and friends are not acting like that," he declared.
Khalid's outspoken remarks highlight the widening gap between Israel and Saudi Arabia, despite efforts by the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government to strengthen ties through the "Abraham Accords" – a series of US-brokered treaties aimed at normalizing relations between Arab states and Israel in exchange for security guarantees against Iran.
Khalid also noted that the mood in Riyadh had hardened towards Israel since the Gaza war sparked by the October 7 attack in which "Hamas" they killed about 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostages.
"If the goal is peace and security in the region, I don't see how they achieve that goal," Khalid said. "Israel is more threatened today than it has been since the 1970s. In the long run, I don't see success."
The prince also downplayed the threat from Iran, including the possibility of a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding: "We have had our differences with Iran. But at the moment we are quite united in our efforts to reduce tensions in the region."
Regarding a potential blockade of the strait in response to Israeli retaliation against Tehran-backed missile strikes, Khalid concluded: "Can they do it? Will they do it now? I don't think so."