Palestine – Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan discussed yesterday, Thursday, the importance of and following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the “Two-State Solution Alliance” meeting, which Riyadh hosted on Wednesday.
This came during a telephone conversation between them, according to a statement issued by Mustafa’s office, a copy of which Anatolia received.
The two parties discussed the importance of joint work to follow up on implementing the outcomes of the first meeting of the international coalition to implement the two-state solution, which was held in Riyadh last Wednesday.
The Palestinian Prime Minister stressed the importance of the unified positions called for by the meeting, including the necessity of a ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the State of Palestine assuming responsibility in the Gaza Strip, strengthening the connection between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees ( UNRWA) and rejected the illegal Israeli decisions to ban its work in Palestine.
On Monday, the Israeli Knesset finally approved a ban on the activity of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said: “The Knesset General Assembly approved, on Monday evening, in the second and third readings, two laws requiring the cessation of UNRWA activities in the occupied territories.”
According to the newspaper, this decision comes on suspicion of the participation of some of its employees in the attack on October 7, 2023, which UNRWA has repeatedly denied.
Mustafa also discussed, with Bin Farhan, the ongoing preparations for holding the Arab-Islamic summit that Riyadh called for next month, and its importance in light of the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and developments in the situation in the region.
On the sidelines of the coalition meeting, the Saudi Foreign Minister said, in statements reported by the local Al-Ikhbariya channel, that “the meeting of the international coalition to support the two-state solution is a first step among several steps with the participation of 90 countries and international organizations.”
As of 15:30 (UTG), the final statement of the meeting had not been issued, according to Anadolu’s correspondent.
Last September, Saudi Arabia, on behalf of the Arab and Islamic countries and European partners, announced the launch of the “International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution,” during the ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue and peace efforts, on the sidelines of the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia also called for holding a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit in the Kingdom on November 11, 2024, to discuss the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and developments in the current situation in the region.
These developments come as Israel, with absolute American support, has been waging a “genocidal” war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in more than 144,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and the elderly. In one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
Anatolia
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**Interview with Dr. Lena Al-Khalidi, Middle East Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Al-Khalidi, thank you for joining us today. Saudi Arabia has recently formed an alliance to advocate for the two-state solution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What are the main objectives of this alliance?
**Dr. Al-Khalidi:** Thank you for having me. The primary goals of the alliance revolve around restoring dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to negotiate a peaceful resolution. This includes implementing the outcomes discussed in the recent meetings, such as calling for a ceasefire, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, the alliance aims to strengthen the ties between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and bolster support for organizations like UNRWA, especially following Israel’s recent ban on its operations.
**Interviewer:** It seems like a crucial time for these discussions. How significant is the recent telephone conversation between Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan in the context of this alliance?
**Dr. Al-Khalidi:** That conversation is pivotal. It demonstrates a united front between Palestine and Saudi Arabia regarding the next steps toward peace. They emphasized the urgency of following up on the alliance’s outcomes, which reflects a shared commitment to address both immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term political objectives. Their discussions also signal to other stakeholders the necessity of a coordinated approach to support the two-state solution.
**Interviewer:** In light of the recent Israeli Knesset decision to ban UNRWA’s activities in the occupied territories, how might this impact the humanitarian situation on the ground?
**Dr. Al-Khalidi:** The Knesset’s decision is quite concerning. UNRWA plays a critical role in providing education, healthcare, and emergency assistance to Palestinian refugees. Banning its activities will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza, where many rely on UNRWA for basic needs. It also undermines international efforts to stabilize the region and could hinder the progress of the two-state solution that the alliance is advocating for.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what can we expect from the upcoming Arab-Islamic summit that Saudi Arabia is hosting next month?
**Dr. Al-Khalidi:** The summit has the potential to be a significant platform for fostering unity among Arab and Islamic nations on the Palestinian issue. If leaders can agree on a collective strategy to support Palestine, especially in light of recent escalations, it could strengthen their negotiating position internationally and possibly influence global public opinion. It will also give Saudi Arabia a chance to showcase its role as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Khalidi, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation remains complex but also filled with possibilities for positive change.
**Dr. Al-Khalidi:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to stay informed and engaged as these discussions evolve.
