PA aligns with Saudi Arabia against Canada
PA aligns with Saudi Arabia
against Canada
against Canada
By Maurice Hirsch, Adv.
In response to the Canadian call to free 15 human rights and women's rights activists detained by Saudi Arabia, the Saudi authorities expelled the Canadian ambassador.Just days later, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas declared his support for Saudi Arabia and condemned the Canadian "interference" which he referred to as no less than "a blow to the sovereignty of the kingdom."
Headline: "The [PA] president opposes the Canadian interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia"
"[PA] President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that the Palestinian people and its leadership stand alongside the brothers in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and heir to the throne Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
His Honor [Abbas] expressed his opposition to and condemnation of the interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom by any party. He said that it is a blow to the sovereignty of the kingdom over its land and its people... and described it as blatant interference.
His Honor called on the Arab states to stand alongside the kingdom, and to oppose the Canadian interference in its internal affairs and to condemn it (referring to Canadian call to release detained rights activists; see note below -Ed.)."
[WAFA, official PA news agency, Aug. 6, 2018]
Ironically, it is the PA that often calls on the international community to apply pressure on Israel to release terrorist prisoners, including murderers, arrested by Israel.
On July 31, 2018, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) said that at least 15 human rights and women's rights activists had been arrested or detained in Saudi Arabia since May 15, 2018. On August 3, 2018, the Canadian Foreign Ministry called for their immediate release.