Saudi Arabia has denounced Israel for its "racist
extermination" war on Palestinians in Gaza, and demanded
international action to prevent a humanitarian disaster
in the territory.
In a statement after its weekly meeting under the chairmanship
of King Abdullah, the cabinet said the 17-day-old offensive
"was stripping Israeli leaders of their humanity."
Leaders of the Jewish state were "placing their
policies among those of racist extermination," it
said in the statement released by the official SPA news
agency.
The Saudi Government appealed to the international community
to respond "decisively to stop a catastrophe"
in Gaza, and to compel Israel to abide by a UN Security
Council resolution calling for a ceasefire.
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It said it was "optimistic" about US president-elect
Barack Obama's pledge to put in place a team that can
commit "immediately" to the Middle East peace
process, after his inauguration on January 20.
Riyadh expected the incoming US administration to show
"more seriousness, objectivity and independence in
dealing with Palestinian affairs," the statement
added.
