Saudi Arabia Convenes Global Alliance To Push For Israeli-Palestinian Peace

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has hosted the first Global Alliance Meeting to advance the two-state solution aimed at tackling and ending the protracted Israel-Palestine conflict.

A statement by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria said Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the first meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution on Wednesday, noting that this underscored Saudi Arabia’s leadership in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

The coalition was announced last month in partnership with international allies, and it is aimed at mobilizing global support for a viable, sustainable two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Opening the meeting, Prince Faisal welcomed Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), alongside international delegations dedicated to peace-building efforts.

Addressing the escalating violence in Palestine and Lebanon, Prince Faisal condemned the mounting Israeli violations, emphasising the urgent need for the international community’s intervention to halt such actions that threaten regional stability and the potential for a peaceful two-state outcome.

Faisal called for an immediate ceasefire, advocating for the release of hostages and detainees and the establishment of accountability mechanisms to address ongoing violations. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for UNRWA’s crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid amid the ongoing challenges in the Palestinian territories.

He equally urged the global community to bolster efforts toward preserving the two-state solution as the foundation for long-term peace in the region. He outlined Saudi Arabia and its regional partners’ commitment to practical, time-bound steps to resolve the conflict, emphasising the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state and ending the occupation.

According to the statement, Saudi Arabia’s concerns extend to Lebanon, “where ongoing Israeli aggression threatens sovereignty and regional peace. In line with the joint Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023, and under the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia reiterated its condemnation of actions undermining Palestinian and Lebanese security.”

The statement added: “As a follow-up to these developments, the Kingdom announced its intention to convene a joint Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11, 2024, to discuss the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian territories and the Republic of Lebanon and the ongoing developments in the region.”