Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Urges Global Support for Two-State Solution Alliance

A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)
A group photo from the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit in Doha, Qatar (SPA)

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, along with rising regional tensions, took center stage at the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit in Doha, which began on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia urged countries to back the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a key step toward resolving the Middle East crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attended the ACD summit and highlighted how continued violence in the region is disrupting international trade and fueling political tensions, which threaten investments and economic cooperation.
“The continuation of aggression and violations in the region hinder the movement of international trade and increase political tensions that threaten the flow of investments and economic cooperation between the countries of the region and the world,” he said.
He called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts to ensure the region’s prosperity.
“We thank Asia Cooperation Dialogue countries for their support for the two-state solution and their recognition of the State of Palestine, and we urge the rest of the world to follow suit,” Prince Faisal said, reminding that the situation has prompted the Kingdom to work with “brothers and allies in establishing a Global Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution.”
He stressed that the current unrest in Palestine and Lebanon is a major barrier to economic and commercial development in the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s continued support for resistance groups.
“The Zionist enemy will be punished, and we will keep supporting the resistance until Palestine is liberated,” said Pezeshkian.
Also speaking at the ACD summit, he emphasized: “Those who violate human rights must know that resistance is strong and cannot be eliminated.”
Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s backing for Palestinian resistance.
After meeting with a Hamas delegation in Doha, Pezeshkian warned that Israel’s ongoing actions had led Iran’s military to deliver a decisive response.
“Israel couldn’t commit these crimes without backing from the US and Europe. If Israel makes any mistake against Iran, it will face a much stronger retaliation than Tuesday’s attack,” he said.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and warned of the consequences of not holding Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the summit, Sheikh Tamim said: “Qatar has long warned about the dangers of not addressing Israel’s crimes.”
He pointed to the escalating violence in Gaza, noting that true security can only be achieved through a just peace, which includes creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
He stressed that Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people in their fight for their legitimate rights.
“Israel’s relentless attacks on civilians in Gaza and other occupied areas have killed over 41,000 innocent people. What’s happening is genocide, and Gaza is being made uninhabitable to force its residents out,” said Sheikh Tamim.
He also condemned Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, accusing Israel of using international inaction to expand settlements in the West Bank and prepare for annexation.
“We believe in de-escalating tensions and respecting nations’ sovereignty,” he added, stressing that Israel is taking advantage of global silence to push its agenda in the West Bank and Lebanon.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also called for urgent international intervention to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.
He warned that Israel’s attacks have destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure.
“Peace cannot coexist with occupation, genocide, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Abbas reaffirmed at the ACD summit.



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.