Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal said he prefers civil insurrection and disobedience to military offensive when it comes to Palestinian resistance.
He cited the Indian independence movement bringing down the British Empire as one of the examples the Palestinians can follow. “There are no heroes in this conflict. Only victims,” said Prince Turki while addressing the audience at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, the US, on Tuesday.
“All militarily occupied people have a right to resist their occupation — even militarily,” he added. “I prefer the other option: civil insurrection and disobedience. It brought down the British Empire in India and the Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe.”
His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, former Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the U.S., gives his perspective. #BakerLive pic.twitter.com/mRwYiCqTkG
— Baker Institute (@BakerInstitute) October 17, 2023
The 78-year-old said both Israel and Hamas should be condemned because of their acts against civilians, adding that two wrongs do not make a right.
He said Hamas’ targeting civilian targets go against Islamic injunctions about harming civilians and desecrating places of worship while also condemning Israel for the indiscriminate arrest and killing of Palestinian children, women and men.
Prince Turki also slammed the West for discriminating against attacks on Israel and Palestine. “I condemn Western politicians for shedding tears when Israelis are killed by Palestinians, but refuse to even express sorrow when Israelis kill Palestinians.”
