Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan has announced the initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. AP
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan has announced the initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. AP
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan has announced the initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. AP
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan has announced the initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. AP

Saudi Arabia announces coalition for two-state solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

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Saudi Arabia announced an international initiative to seek a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan unveiled the Global Alliance to Implement a Two-State Solution between Palestine and Israel, an initiative developed with the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and European allies.

In a speech at the ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue, Prince Faisal criticised Israel's argument behind killing more than 41,500 people in Gaza since October 7, in retaliation for Hamas's attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200.

“Self-defence cannot justify the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and the practice of systematic destruction, forced displacement, the use of starvation as a tool of war, incitement and dehumanisation, and systematic torture in its most heinous forms, including sexual violence and other crimes documented according to United Nations reports,” Prince Faisal said.

The threat of a regional war persists as Israel and Hezbollah exchange cross-border attacks, Prince Faisal said. At least 700 people have been killed since Israel's escalation in Lebanon began, with the threat of a ground invasion looming.

People mourn relatives killed in Israeli air strikes on the southern Lebanese village of Saksakieh. AP
People mourn relatives killed in Israeli air strikes on the southern Lebanese village of Saksakieh. AP

“We are witnessing these days a dangerous regional escalation that affects the sisterly Lebanese Republic and leads us to the risk of a regional war that threatens our region and the entire world,” Prince Faisal said.

Israel denied claims that a ceasefire had been reached on Lebanon and said it was holding talks with US officials over a truce proposal. “We demand an immediate end to the ongoing war and all violations of international law, and to hold accountable all those who obstruct the peace process and to prevent them from threatening the security of the region and the entire world,” Prince Faisal added.

He also criticised the “selective application” of international humanitarian law amid breaches of the “most basic standards of equality, freedom and human rights”, in an apparent reference to Israel's impunity.

The establishment of a Palestinian state is a right and a basis for peace, he said, and not a final outcome in a “distant political process”. Prince Faisal praised a recent UN resolution ordering Israel to end its occupation of Palestine.

“We affirm our appreciation for the countries that recently recognised Palestine, and we call on all countries to be courageous and take the same decision, and join the international consensus represented by the 149 countries that recognise Palestine,” he said. “Implementing the two-state solution is the best solution to break the cycle of conflict and suffering, and enforce a new reality in which the entire region, including Israel, enjoys security and coexistence.”

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About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

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Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: September 27, 2024, 8:09 AM`