Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister attends extraordinary OIC Foreign Ministers meeting to discuss Israel
Jeddah — Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji, representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, attended an extraordinary meeting of the Open Executive Committee at foreign minister level of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah to discuss Israeli occupation.
At the outset of his address, he thanked the State of Palestine for inviting the extraordinary meeting.
“We meet today with the shared conviction that the policies and practices of the Israeli occupying authority represent the greatest threat to security and peace,” he said.
“We do this with our determination to confront this threat by coordinating our positions, developing mechanisms of cooperation among ourselves, and strengthening our collective Islamic action,” he added.
Elkhereiji reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s support for the Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution and the alliance’s efforts to unify international positions.
He stressed the importance of mobilising political and economic support and advancing practical measures that translate commitments into concrete actions and accelerate realisation of the two-state solution.
The kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to continuing these efforts alongside partner nations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative.
He added that the New York Declaration, the Comprehensive Peace Plan, and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 constitute an integrated and coherent framework in their objectives.
The declaration through the resolution emphasise the necessity of supporting the Palestinian National Authority, strengthening its institutional capacity, and ensuring institutional and geographical connectivity between Gaza and the West Bank whilst preserving the unity of Palestinian territory.
The kingdom also reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most importantly the right to self-determination and the right of return.
They also renewed their urgent call for the provision of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief through full cooperation conducted via international mechanisms.
In his address, the deputy foreign minister reaffirmed the kingdom’s appreciation of efforts led by President Donald Trump in this regard.
He emphasised that coordination with the United States for implementing the comprehensive peace plan represents a genuine opportunity to end the conflict and pursue regional integration and sustainable stability.
In conclusion, Elkhereiji stressed that, in line with the kingdom’s commitment to stability and peace, they condemn any violation of the sovereignty of OIC member states and expressed concern over increasing military tensions and the emergence of hostile rhetoric.
He called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and avoid further escalation, and urged the settlement of disputes through diplomatic channels.
He also emphasised that the achievement of lasting peace and security can only be accomplished through dialogue, diplomacy, mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.