New york: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced today that the resumption of a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue signifies a broad international consensus. The consensus is that the only path to ending the protracted conflict and the cycle of violence and suffering is through the actual implementation of the two-state solution based on United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the land-for-peace principle.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, during a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-No«l Barrot at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia's determination, in cooperation with France and other partners, to transform this international consensus into a tangible reality. He highlighted the importance of ending the conflict, establishing the Palestinian state, and achieving a just and comprehensive peace that respects the sovereignty and security of all peoples in the region.
Prince Faisal praised French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of France's intention to recognize the State of Palestine, describing it as a historic step that represents the international community's support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He reiterated that peace between Israel and Palestine is essential for achieving comprehensive regional peace, which would allow for security, cooperation, integration, and shared prosperity.
The Saudi Foreign Minister also noted the critical timing of the conference, which coincides with a worsening humanitarian crisis characterized by starvation, severe violations, ongoing forced displacement, and other unilateral actions threatening the two-state solution. He stressed the immediate need to end the war in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, firmly rejecting any attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the rest of the Palestinian state's territories or to occupy, besiege, or displace its residents.
Prince Faisal commended President Mahmoud Abbas's speech on July 9th, which reaffirmed his commitment to peace as a strategic option, aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights through peaceful means. He also expressed Saudi Arabia's support for the Palestinian National Authority's efforts in reform and good governance and stressed the importance of international collaboration in Gaza's reconstruction efforts.
French Foreign Minister Jean-No«l Barrot stated that the conference's goal was to mobilize the international community to provide the necessary political prospects to achieve a ceasefire. He emphasized that the primary goal is to convey a clear message that peace is attainable and that the conference offers a viable alternative to the ongoing war in the region, highlighting the two-state solution as the key.
Minister Barrot further mentioned that President Macron is committed to recognizing the State of Palestine during the upcoming General Assembly session in September, reaffirming France's support for the Palestinians' right to self-determination in light of the challenges they face.
