Oman says it has no intention of normalizing relations with Israel

Muscat: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman for Political Affairs, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa Al Harthy, says Oman has no intention of normalizing relations with Israel, stressing that normalization with countries in the region did not prevent Israel from abusing the Palestinians, according the Russian Sputnik Agency

The agency reported – based on its dialogue with the Omani official – regarding reports of earlier American efforts to normalize relations between Muscat and Tel Aviv, that the Sultanate of Oman is interested in reaching a solution to the Palestinian issue, which is the priority now, not normalization or not.

He added, “It is also noted that the recent normalization between Israel and a number of countries in the region did not achieve this goal. Rather, Israel exploited it to abuse the Palestinians, procrastinate and delay, without giving them their rights to establish their independent state, in accordance with what international resolutions stipulate.”

Al-Harthi pointed out that there are relative differences in some approaches to regional issues, and this is due to the fact that each Arab country sometimes has its own interests and priorities, “but we believe that with regard to the Palestinian issue, the Arab position and Arab demands are unified regarding the right of the Palestinians to obtain their rights.”

He stressed that in the Sultanate of Oman, “we call for unifying the Arab ranks, and this may be done by strengthening the role of the Arab League and regional organizations associated with joint Arab action.”

The agency also quoted Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi as confirming that “preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in the Gaza Strip is a crime under international law ,” calling on the international community to conduct an independent investigation into the Israeli aggression and prosecute it for its deliberate targeting of civilians in Gaza and starving them through siege and collective punishment.

Al Busaidi explained that “self-defense does not justify genocide and targeting innocent people,” saying that “Israel’s military action is not necessary for self-defense, and all countries condemn the targeting of civilians, regardless of the nationalities of their residents.”

This comes as the occupation escalates its operations in the West Bank, coinciding with its war on Gaza since October 7, which has left tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded amid a humanitarian situation described as catastrophic and a worsening famine looming over the besieged Strip.    –  Russian Sputnik