Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized on Saturday that achieving security and stability in the Middle East, including Israel, hinges upon the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Speaking at a panel discussion during the Munich Security Conference on the normalization of ties with Israel, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of a secure path towards a two-state solution, stating that "the closer we get to it," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib were also present at the discussion.
Prince Faisal clarified that Saudi Arabia currently has no diplomatic relations with Israel. He asserted that the normalization of relations with Israel is contingent upon the fulfillment of the Arab Peace Treaty and stressed that direct communication with Israel has not been initiated.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia's current focus on brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, Prince Faisal underscored the urgency of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and emphasized the importance of humanitarian access for its people. He expressed concerns that Israel's actions in Gaza may exacerbate extremism rather than enhance security, calling for accountability for those obstructing the two-state solution.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry echoed similar sentiments, expressing Egypt's apprehension over the displacement of Palestinians from Rafah, which poses a threat to Egypt's national security. Shoukry emphasized the catastrophic repercussions of displacing Gazans and attributed the stagnation in the two-state solution to the lack of international will.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asserting that military intervention alone cannot address the crisis in Gaza. Lahbib urged Israel to consider alternative solutions, stressing the viability of the two-state solution in de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Additionally, Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, discussed with Prince Faisal the dire situation in Gaza and emphasized the importance of regional security and collaborative efforts towards a two-state solution.
Prince Faisal also conferred with British counterpart David Cameron on Gaza developments and international endeavors to address the crisis during a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
