RIYADH — A statement attributed to the late King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has resurfaced in public discourse, emphasizing the historic monarch’s uncompromising rejection of Israeli statehood and strong support for the Palestinian cause.
The quote, widely cited across Arab media and historical archives, reflects the late king’s ideological position regarding the Middle East conflict:
“Teach your children that Palestine is occupied, that the Aqsa Mosque is imprisoned, that the Zionist entity is an enemy, that resistance is an honour, and that there is no country called Israel.”
King Faisal, who ruled Saudi Arabia from 1964 until his assassination in 1975, was a key figure in Arab opposition to Israel during the 20th century. His reign was defined by pan-Islamic solidarity and landmark foreign policy decisions, most notably spearheading the 1973 OPEC oil embargo against Western nations supporting Israel during the Arab-Israeli War.
Throughout his tenure, King Faisal consistently framed the status of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territory as a central religious and political priority for the Muslim world. The re-emergence of his past statements highlights the enduring historical memory of his leadership as regional geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve.