In a column published by the Financial TimesSaudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhane reaffirmed his country’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing that the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel is conditional on the creation of a Palestinian state.
“The creation of an independent Palestinian state is the only path to the regional stability, integration and prosperity we seek,” the minister said, recalling Saudi Arabia’s long-standing commitment to the UN resolution. conflict. He noted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had recently reiterated that “the Palestinian issue remains our top priority.” Ben Farhane criticized Israel’s conduct in the current conflict, saying that “the current war has demonstrated that self-defense is not Israel’s primary objective.” He accused the Jewish state of “destroying the conditions for a dignified life for generations to come”, citing military operations in Gaza and settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria as major obstacles to creating a Sovereign Palestinian state.
The Saudi minister called for a two-state solution, which he sees as the only path to security for Israel, the Palestinians and the entire region. He warned of the risk of a wider regional war, stressing that “uncontrolled cycles of escalation are the building blocks of an all-out regional war.” Ben Farhane also stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to maintain calm in Judea and Samaria, despite the obstacles. He advocated for a long-term solution where Gaza and Judea and Samaria would be under the control of the Palestinian Authority. The minister called on nations that have privately expressed agreement to recognize a Palestinian state to do so publicly, saying: “Now is the time to get on the right side of history.” He also called for the implementation of relevant UN resolutions and the imposition of sanctions against those who obstruct the creation of a Palestinian state.
Finally, Ben Farhane spoke of the formation of a global alliance of UN member countries supporting efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza. “A Palestinian state is a precondition for peace, not a by-product of it,” concluded the Saudi minister, thus reaffirming his country’s firm stance on this issue for the future of the Middle East.
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