Saudi Arabia hosted the first meeting of a new international alliance to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York City, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud announced the formation of the “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution”, an initiative to bring together nations from the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere to support the implementation of a two-state solution.
This week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosted the first meeting of this “international alliance” where Prince Faisal bin Farhan said nearly 90 states and international organizations were taking part in the two-day meeting.
The European Union was represented by Sven Koopmans, the special representative for the Middle East peace process, diplomats said. The United States sent Hady Amr, the State Department’s special representative for Palestinian affairs. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is also in attendance.
In his opening remarks, Prince Faisal emphasized that the escalating violence and Israeli violations in Palestine and Lebanon, alongside the regional spread of conflict, require a firm response from the international community as they undermine the prospects for a two-state solution and contribute to instability.
He called for intensified international efforts to preserve the two-state solution and restore security and stability in the region. Prince Faisal reaffirmed the Kingdom’s and regional partners’ commitment to achieving peace through practical steps and defined timelines, aimed at ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
The Saudi foreign ministry also called for “a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit” to be held on November 11 focused on “the continued Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories and the Lebanese Republic, and current developments in the region”.
The “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution” arises from frustration with both the UN and the United States with regard to real progress towards a resolution of the Palestinian crisis. Just last month, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi normalization with Israel was not possible without “independent Palestinian state”.
