Tue Nov 12 10:06:06 UTC 2024: ## Muslim Leaders Convene in Riyadh Amidst Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Sending a Message to Trump
**Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:** Following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, leaders from Arab and Muslim countries gathered in Riyadh on Monday to express their united opposition to Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. This meeting, pre-scheduled in October, serves as a platform to demand the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
The gathering is seen as a direct response to Trump’s perceived pro-Israel stance, with Muslim nations concerned about his potential policies. This meeting, experts say, is a preemptive message to the incoming US administration.
Anna Jacobs, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, suggests that this gathering is a direct challenge to US policy and a warning to the upcoming Trump administration.
The gathering in Riyadh follows a similar meeting held a year ago in Jeddah, where Arab and Islamic leaders condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “barbaric.”
The current conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th, has resulted in over 43,600 casualties in Gaza and the deaths of over 1,206 people in Israel, according to official Israeli figures.
During his first term, former President Trump exhibited strong support for Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital and moving the US embassy there, defying international consensus. He also authorized the deployment of Israeli troops in the occupied Gaza Strip, a move deemed a violation of international law.
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