NEW YORK / RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, reaffirmed on Sunday that a lasting peace in the Middle East hinges on the implementation of the two‑state solution between Israel and Palestine. His remarks came ahead of a UN conference co‑hosted by Saudi Arabia and France to advance the long-delayed peace initiative.
Prince Faisal emphasized that establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel is essential not just for Palestinian rights, but also for preserving regional security and fostering sustainable development. “We look forward to pushing towards the implementation of international… resolutions that call for the establishment of two states… contributing to achieving peace and stability for the region,” he said.
The upcoming High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine will convene at UN headquarters in New York from July 28–29. The event aims to mobilize global support for Palestinian sovereignty and reignite momentum toward a viable peace plan.
Saudi Arabia has previously co-launched the Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Two-State Solution, bringing together countries dedicated to advancing Palestinian statehood. Meetings have been held in Riyadh, Brussels, and Oslo to sustain diplomatic momentum.
Meanwhile, France has announced it will formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, a move welcomed by Prince Faisal as a historic step toward legitimacy for Palestinian statehood.
While over 145 UN member states already recognize Palestine, this major Western acknowledgment is expected to strengthen international resolve in support of the two-state framework.
Germany, by contrast, has opted not to recognize Palestine immediately. Instead, Berlin continues to express commitment to the two-state principle while prioritizing regional security issues, particularly Israel’s safety.
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The conference follows prolonged conflict in Gaza, now into its 22nd month following the October 2023 Hamas attack. The humanitarian toll has spurred renewed calls for a diplomatic resolution through the two-state path.
Israel and the United States have both boycotted the UN meeting, arguing it undermines broader efforts to secure hostages or retaliate against Hamas. The U.S. described the forum as “a gift to Hamas,” while Israel insisted the agenda ignores critical security priorities.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister underscored that peace will remain elusive without Palestinian recognition and political empowerment. He stressed the kingdom’s leadership role in galvanizing Arab and Islamic support and shaping a diplomatic path toward conflict resolution.
As world leaders gather in New York, the outcome of the conference may determine whether the two-state solution regains traction—or continues to falter under geopolitical deadlock and regional divisions.