Saudi Arabia: Regional Peace Starts with Recognizing State of Palestine
Speaking at a high-level preparatory meeting for the upcoming international conference on resolving the Palestinian issue, Saudi representative Manal Radwan emphasized that regional peace begins with the recognition of Palestine. The conference, jointly organized by Saudi Arabia and France, will be held at the United Nations in June.
Radwan noted that establishing a Palestinian state is essential to ending a conflict that has lasted nearly eight decades. 'This is not just about ending a war, it's about ending a long-standing struggle,' she said. 'The time has come for irreversible and transformative change.'
She stressed the urgent need for concrete action, especially as Gaza continues to suffer under a deepening humanitarian crisis. 'Civilians are bearing the brunt of a war that must end immediately,' she said, raising concerns about growing violence in the West Bank and the region-wide impact of continued instability.
Radwan emphasized that a fair resolution to the Palestinian issue is more than a legal or moral duty, it is the foundation for a new regional order based on coexistence and mutual recognition. 'Recognition of a Palestinian state is the only way to replace despair with a political horizon grounded in rights and sovereignty,' she said.
She also welcomed reform efforts by Palestinian leaders, including institutional changes initiated by President Mahmoud Abbas and the new government led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, aimed at promoting transparency and economic recovery.
Radwan also introduced the Global Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution, launched by Saudi Arabia to coordinate political, financial, and security support for the initiative. She urged the coalition to function as a mechanism for real implementation, not just consensus-building.
France, represented by Macron's advisor Anne-Claire Legendre, echoed the urgency, warning that the two-state solution is more endangered than ever. 'This conference must be a turning point, a shift from words to meaningful action,' she said.
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