A senior Saudi royal has termed Israel “genocidal” and an “apartheid” state, as he called on incoming US President-elect Donald Trump to bring peace to the Middle East, AFP reports.

Prince Turki Al Faisal, who was Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief for more than two decades, also said he hoped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Israel today, according to international human rights groups, is not only an apartheid colonial state, but it is also a genocidal one,” Prince Turki said.

“It is committing genocide on the people of Gaza.”

He added: “It’s about time for the world to … take the necessary steps to bring those who are charged by the ICC to justice.”

“Friendly countries in the region are hoping that Mr Trump pursues what he started before, to bring peace with capital letters to the Middle East,” he said.