Saudi Prince says ‘Israel’ is main threat to regional stability

Former Saudi diplomat Prince Turki Al-Faisal said during the Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit that ‘Israel’ - not Iran - poses the greater threat to stability in the region.

Prince Turki described ‘Israel’ as a destabilizing actor, urging the United States to “rein it in,” citing its continued attacks in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.

He said the near-daily strikes on Syria, along with ongoing bombardment in Gaza and the West Bank and cross-border attacks in Lebanon despite a ceasefire, show that ‘Israel’ is not contributing to peace in the region.

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Prince Turki also referenced the ‘Israeli’ strike in Doha that targeted Hamas negotiators as they reviewed ceasefire proposals, calling it a “warning sign” that highlights the need for GCC unity and collective defense.

He pointed to earlier remarks by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that if Iran were to obtain a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would consider doing the same. Prince Turki emphasized that the region already hosts a nuclear-armed state - ‘Israel’ - yet “no one talks about it.”

He added that this reality should push regional states to continue pursuing a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.

While Prince Turki expressed doubt that terrorism will disappear entirely, he warned that the unresolved Palestinian issue - and the international community’s failure to address ‘Israel’s’ actions - could fuel the rise of new extremist movements.