Saudi Arabia Launches Global Effort for Israel-Palestine Peace Deal
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, addressing the UN (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Saudi Arabia announced a new global initiative to push for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine. The official announcement was made during a United Nations (UN) assembly speech in New York from the country’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. The alliance, called The Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state solution, is said to include many Middle Eastern and European nations.
The plan, first announced during a meeting with the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Norway, aims to establish an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution. Saudi Arabia stresses that it is to establish an agreement based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
After the war began last October, Saudi Arabia halted an effort by the United States to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia even though before the war, Saudi Arabia’s ruler had claimed that they were coming closer to an agreement. Just before the announcement of this new alliance, Saudi Arabia said that they would not recognize Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and condemned Israel's continued attacks on Palestinians.
The countries that committed to join have not been specified as of yet. Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, said that if an independent Palestinian state is created and recognized by Israel, then they are willing to ensure the security of Israel as well. Furthermore, Italy has also claimed that it would send troops to the UN if a Palestinian state – that not only recognizes Israel, but also one in which Israel recognizes as well – was established.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani claims that this decision is meant to aid in de-escalating the growing conflicts in the Levant. This is especially with regards to the recent attacks on Lebanon causing the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the increasing death toll of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, further emphasizing the need for a ceasefire in both theaters.
Meetings in the alliance are planned to take place both in Riyadh and Brussls.
Lebanon's Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bouhabib addresses the UN General Assembly (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Nonetheless, Israel has indicated little interest in establishing an independent Palestinian state, with a majority of the Knesset voting against the solution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan as well as Israel continues to plan attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
As Saudi Arabia’s ties with Israel worsen, the likelihood of success for past US normalization efforts decreases. Furthermore, per claims by the Jordanian Foreign Minister, if Israel maintains their current course of action, peace in the region with Israel would be unlikely.
These efforts are a step towards peace, as public opinion has shifted within this past year since Oct.7. The international pressure to establish peace has steadily grown, particularly as the conflict extends beyond the Israel-Gaza border.