Prince Turki al-Faisal tells London audience Saudi normalisation with Israelis unlikely at present, and denies that kingdom is cracking down on Palestinian solidarity

Speaking during an event at Chatham House in London on Friday, Prince Turki - who led Saudi Arabia’s intelligence for over two decades - called on Washington to deny Israel financial and military support.

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the United States,” the 79-year-old, whose father King Faisal ruled the kingdom between 1964 and 1975, told reporters and foreign policy analysts in the British capital.

He stated that “Israeli lobbyists” enjoyed tax-free status in the US because they were considered to be “philanthropic or humanitarian”, rather than as representing the interests of Israel. He urged for such tax exemptions on pro-Israel groups to be withdrawn by the Americans in light of the ongoing conflict.

    • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
      2·
      2 months ago

      So you think giving people freedoms to drink and go to bars is a bad thing?

      https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-opens-first-liquor-store-rcna135597

      And yes I’m fully aware of Khashoggi. What I’m saying is all people all governments have good and bad. I can easily agree with many things that awful people do. It doesn’t make them any less awful, but I’m not so ignorant to be opposed to something just because an awful person says it.

      So to hate a good idea just because of it’s messenger is ignorant at best and harmful at worst.

      The reason I bring this up is because in USA it’s becoming more and more like this. That regardless of what the policy is, the only thing the stupid politicians care about now is who the messenger is. And it’s doing incredible damage to the country.

      Now, obviously you’re just making a statement. I don’t really disagree with it as I think MBS is a horrible human being. But I really don’t like the idea of agreeing or disagreeing with someone based on the person saying it.

      • TallonMetroid@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        But I really don’t like the idea of agreeing or disagreeing with someone based on the person saying it.

        But that’s not what I was doing? I’m agreeing with him, because the House of Saud being a bunch of fuckers doesn’t make his statement any less true. But the fact remains that they are still fuckers, and asking me to be okay with that is unreasonable.

        • Joncash2@lemmy.ml
          1·
          2 months ago

          No I’m saying regardless of your opinion, you shouldn’t have an opinion based on the source of the statement is what I’m saying. Yes MBS is trash, but I would still listen to what he has to say.