Global Alliance for Two-State Solution: Saudi Support for the Palestinian Cause

Saudi Foreign Minister and several of his counterparts announced the launch of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York on Thursday (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister and several of his counterparts announced the launch of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York on Thursday (dpa)
TT

Global Alliance for Two-State Solution: Saudi Support for the Palestinian Cause

Saudi Foreign Minister and several of his counterparts announced the launch of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York on Thursday (dpa)
Saudi Foreign Minister and several of his counterparts announced the launch of a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York on Thursday (dpa)

In a new show of support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced on Thursday from New York the formation of a global alliance to implement a two-state Solution.

He said the alliance, backed by Arab, Islamic, and European partners, will hold its first meeting in Riyadh and urged others to join.

Prince Faisal, addressing the UN General Assembly, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting an independent Palestinian state.

He noted that the Kingdom has provided over $5 billion in aid to Palestinians.

Since the Gaza crisis began, Saudi Arabia has sent around $185 million in humanitarian aid through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

The Kingdom also signed agreements with international organizations for projects worth more than $106 million. Total Saudi contributions to UNRWA have surpassed $1 billion.

Prince Faisal also welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of a resolution in May recognizing Palestine's eligibility for full UN membership.

He praised Norway, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Armenia for their positive decisions to recognize Palestine as a state, urging other nations to follow suit with bilateral recognition.

The Saudi announcement was welcomed globally, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell praising it as the result of joint Arab-European efforts.

At a ministerial meeting on Gaza and the two-state solution, Borrell highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in launching the global initiative.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who co-chaired the UN meeting with Saudi Arabia and the EU, called the two-state solution the “only credible path to peace” and stressed the urgent need to establish a Palestinian state.

On its part, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday urged all nations to join Saudi Arabia’s historic alliance.

The OIC said the Saudi initiative serves as a political safeguard for the two-state solution, rooted in international law and UN resolutions.

It reflects a commitment to ending the Israeli occupation, creating a Palestinian state, and achieving lasting peace in the region.

Saudi Arabia has played a significant role in advancing international recognition of Palestine, according to Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he noted that Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding supporter of the Palestinians and has recently intensified its efforts.

This was particularly evident during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh last November, which aimed to achieve international recognition for Palestine.

Bamakhrama stated that the recent progress is the result of hard work by Saudi diplomacy, backed by Arab and Islamic nations.

Additionally, Abdulaziz bin Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center, urged the need to capitalize on the momentum created by Saudi Arabia’s push for a two-state solution.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he emphasized the importance of establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This momentum has increased following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent statement that there will be no normalization or diplomatic relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is formed.

He highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s actions are grounded in strong diplomatic principles based on respect and trust.

Sager highlighted that “no other regional party can rally the international community around a political solution.”

He noted that launching an alliance requires sustained efforts from Saudi diplomacy, which involves significant responsibility and a long-term strategy for success.

He warned that “Israel’s stubbornness and the current US hesitance should not obstruct progress toward a peaceful resolution.”

Sager called for support for the international coalition led by Saudi Arabia, working alongside Arab and European partners, to pressure Israel into a comprehensive peace settlement based on international resolutions.



Yemeni PM Praises Saudi Projects on al-Abr Highway, Al-Wadeeah Crossing

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak tours the vital projects that are being carried out by the SDRPY. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak tours the vital projects that are being carried out by the SDRPY. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Yemeni PM Praises Saudi Projects on al-Abr Highway, Al-Wadeeah Crossing

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak tours the vital projects that are being carried out by the SDRPY. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak tours the vital projects that are being carried out by the SDRPY. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak toured on Sunday the project for the expansion of the al-Abr highway and the rehabilitation of the al-Wadeeah crossing that are being carried out by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY).

He was accompanied by head of the SDRPY office in Marib Ali al-Dossary and several officials.

“These projects are only a handful of other major strategic ones and they will be followed more in line with the development partnership with the SDRPY, said bin Mubarak.

“We will be together in the battle of building and development,” he added.

He praised Saudi Arabia’s support for vital strategic projects in Yemen, underscoring the importance of the highway that connects Yemen to the Kingdom.

The first phase of the project saw the expansion and rehabilitation of 50 kms of road, stretching from the al-Duwaibi to al-Abr. The second phase will witness work stretching from the Ghuwariban region to al-Duwaibi.

At the al-Wadeeah crossing, the prime minister inspected progress in the project that calls for constructing new buildings and renovating old ones. Work is also underway on roads, squares and public spaces.

The project aims to address the dangers caused by degradation of roads, improve transportation and trade, and facilitate the movement of people.

Al-Abr is seen as a vital highway that connects various Yemeni provinces.