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Leaders
an hour ago
- Leaders
Saudi Troika and the Two-State Solution: From the July Summit to the September Peace Conference
By: Magdi Sadek Magdi Sadek For more than eight decades, negotiations toward a two-state solution have stagnated, mired in endless conflict, crises, wars, and destruction—all at the expense of the Palestinian people. Successive cycles of violence have repeatedly crushed any hope of a solution before it could take shape. Now, Saudi diplomacy is stepping into the void—armed with a strategy akin to blitzkrieg (a term of German origin meaning 'lightning war'), characterized by rapid, successive diplomatic strikes. With growing international anticipation, Riyadh is working to chart a concrete path forward for the long-elusive two-state solution, laying the groundwork for a pivotal international peace conference scheduled for the second half of September. Saudi-Led Troika Lays Groundwork in New York At the heart of this push is Saudi Arabia's leadership, represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who co-chaired a high-level meeting at the United Nations on 28 July alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The two-day conference was part of a tripartite initiative—including Egypt, which was absent from the event—to outline a roadmap for the Palestinian cause and to relaunch the two-state solution. As part of their efforts, Saudi Arabia and France secured the transfer of $300 million from the World Bank to support Palestinian institutions. In a speech during the conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked both nations, calling the summit 'a unique opportunity' to harness international momentum for peace. But the geopolitical stakes are high. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to Scotland, where he toured his golf resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeenshire, was urged by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state. Trump, who once said, 'What matters to me is the humanitarian hunger of the Palestinians,' has thus far remained unmoved. Observers say it's unlikely he will shift his position, particularly after dismissing French President Emmanuel Macron's recognition of a Palestinian state as 'irrelevant.' Trump's own 2020 'Deal of the Century' was widely criticized for favoring Israel. Still, shifts in international policy are possible—even dramatic ones. Trump once promised to bring peace to the Middle East and end the decades-long bloodshed. Could that promise be resurrected? Riyadh's Consistent Support for the Palestinian Cause Saudi Arabia's engagement is grounded in its long-standing support for the Palestinian people and its advocacy for a just and comprehensive peace based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. This commitment, however, needs to be supported by coordinated Arab diplomacy and strong political will to sustain momentum after the upcoming peace conference. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in remarks earlier this year, underscored the suffering of the Palestinian people and called on the international community to end Israel's aggression and create a new reality for Palestine, in line with international resolutions. Historically, Saudi Arabia has played a prominent role in the Palestinian cause, dating back to King Abdulaziz Al Saud's participation in the 1935 London Round Table Conference and his 1945 letter to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlining the Palestinian plight. The Kingdom has participated in numerous Arab League summits, championed the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative under then-Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and led regional and international efforts to revive the two-state solution. In September 2023, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of an international coalition for the two-state solution in collaboration with the Arab League, European Union, Egypt, and Jordan. The Kingdom has also provided over $6 billion in humanitarian aid to Palestinians, including $500 million in 2014 to rebuild Gaza. Its support has included initiatives by King Salman—when he was governor of Riyadh—to assist the families of Palestinian fighters and establish a structured honor registry for donations. Challenges Ahead for the September Conference Originally scheduled for June 2025, the New York peace conference was postponed due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. It now comes amid a renewed international push for the two-state solution, with the Palestinian Authority stating that it sees 'strong indicators' of growing global support—even as internal divisions, particularly the need for reconciliation between Palestinian factions and the disarmament of Hamas, remain major obstacles. While not explicitly addressed at the July conference, these internal challenges—alongside the external ones—remain key hurdles. Chief among them is the U.S. and Israeli boycott of the initiative. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has called on Trump to intervene and end the war in Gaza, as he possesses the necessary capabilities and stature, he is the only one capable of stopping the war and ending this suffering. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his meeting with Trump, emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state would be a concrete step toward lasting peace. Some analysts believe that U.S.-Saudi relations could be leveraged to overcome opposition to the conference's outcomes, though ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority pose significant challenges. A Historic Opportunity Despite the obstacles, many see the September conference as a potential turning point—a 'decisive platform' to revive and institutionalize momentum for peace. Its outcomes should not end when the summit concludes but must be embedded into international and humanitarian agendas aimed at ending the deadly conflict. Today, more than 140 of the UN's 193 member states recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. France is expected to join them in September during the upcoming peace summit in New York, which will coincide with the high-level meetings of the 80th UN General Assembly. While some speculate the summit could move to Paris, the picture remains fluid. What is clear is that international recognition of a Palestinian state is gathering unprecedented steam—and Saudi Arabia appears determined to ensure that momentum is not lost. Relataed Topics: GCC-US Summit: Saudi Crown Prince Supports Peaceful Solutions to Conflicts Saudi Arabia Stands Firm Against Palestinian Displacement at OIC Summit Saudi Arabia Supports Palestine with $30mn Package Palestinian President Lauds Saudi Role in France's Recognition of Statehood Short link : Post Views: 18
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Justice department files misconduct complaint against federal judge handling deportation case
The Justice Department on Monday filed a misconduct complaint against the federal judge who has clashed with President Donald Trump's administration over deportations to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Escalating the administration's conflict with US District Judge James E. Boasberg, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media that she directed the filing of the complaint against Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Trump and his administration. The complaint stems from remarks Boasberg allegedly made in March to Chief Justice John Roberts and other federal judges, saying the administration would trigger a constitutional crisis by disregarding federal court rulings, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by The Associated Press. The comments have undermined the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, the complaint says, adding that the administration has always complied with all court orders. Boasberg is among several judges who have questioned whether the administration has complied with their orders. The meeting took place days before Boasberg issued an order blocking deportation flights that Trump was carrying out by invoking wartime authorities from an 18th century law. The judge's verbal order to turn around planes that were on the way to El Salvador was ignored. Boasberg has since found probable cause that the administration committed contempt of court. The comments were supposedly made during a meeting of the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciary's governing body. The remarks were first reported by the conservative website The Federalist, which said it obtained a memo summarizing the meeting. Boasberg, the chief judge in the district court in the nation's capital, is a member of the Judicial Conference. Its meetings are not public. The complaint calls for an investigation, the reassignment of the deportations case to another judge while the inquiry is ongoing, and sanctions, including the possible recommendation of impeachment if the investigation substantiates the allegations. Trump himself already has called for Boasberg's impeachment, which in turn prompted a rare response from Roberts rejecting the call. The complaint was filed with Judge Sri Srinivasan, chief judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. More than 250 Venezuelans who were deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center or CECOT were sent home to Venezuela earlier this month in a deal that also freed 10 US citizens and permanent residents who had been held by Venezuela. But the lawsuit over the deportations and the administration's response to Boasberg's order remains in his court.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Federal judge blocks Arkansas law barring pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in state
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal judge temporarily blocked on Monday Arkansas' first-in-the-nation law that would have prohibited pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in the state. US District Judge Brian Miller issued a preliminary injunction against the law restricting pharmacy benefit managers who run prescription drug coverage for big clients that include health insurers and employers that provide coverage. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the restriction into law earlier this year, and it was set to take effect Aug. 5. CVS and Express Scripts had sued the state over the law. The law, Miller wrote, 'appears to overtly discriminate against plaintiffs as out of state companies, and the state has failed to show that it has no other means to advance its interests.' Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin said he respected the court's decision and planned to appeal. Supporters of the Arkansas law have said it's needed because pharmacy benefit managers are forcing independent pharmacies, especially those in rural areas, to close. CVS and Express Scripts in their lawsuits said the restriction would have devastating effects on consumers if it was allowed to take effect. CVS, which ran TV ads urging Sanders to veto the legislation, has said it would have to close its 23 retail pharmacies in the state if the law takes effect. The company said it was pleased with the decision. 'We continue to be focused on serving people in Arkansas and are actively looking to work together with the state to reduce drug prices and ensure access to pharmacies,' CVS said in a statement. Arkansas is among several states where lawmakers have taken up efforts to regulate pharmacy benefit managers.
