Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Photo: SPA
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, gave an important speech at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He spoke during a high-level international conference focused on peaceful solutions to the issue of Palestine. This conference was especially important because Saudi Arabia co-hosted it along with France.
The conference aimed to bring world leaders together to discuss how to peacefully solve the long-standing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. It focused on supporting the “two-state solution,” which means creating a peaceful future where both Israel and Palestine can exist side by side as independent nations.
Current Situation in Palestine and Gaza
Prince Faisal opened his speech by talking about the current crisis in Gaza. He said the situation is getting worse every day. Thousands of innocent people, including children, are suffering from bombings, hunger, and forced displacement. Many families have lost their homes, and they do not have access to basic needs like food, water, or medical help.
He added that international efforts to help the people in Gaza are being blocked. Aid is not reaching those who need it the most because of ongoing violence and roadblocks. This, he said, must stop if there is to be any hope for peace.
Violence Also Spreads to West Bank and Jerusalem
The foreign minister explained that the violence and suffering are not limited to Gaza. He said that similar problems are also happening in the West Bank and Jerusalem. There, people are facing strict restrictions, and Israeli settlement policies are changing the character of the area. He pointed out that these changes are not only political but also religious and demographic, meaning they are affecting who lives there and how they practice their faith.
Peace Cannot Be Forced by Power
Prince Faisal strongly said that true peace and security cannot be achieved by using power or force. He explained that trying to deny people their basic rights, or trying to change facts on the ground through violence, will never lead to lasting peace. Instead, these actions make the situation worse by increasing instability and giving rise to more violence and extreme actions.
He warned that this type of behavior is dangerous not just for the region but for the entire world. When peace is not present, everyone is at risk.
Saudi Arabia Supports Palestinian Leadership
Prince Faisal showed Saudi Arabia’s support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the new government led by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa. He said their honest desire for peace and recent steps toward reform deserve international support.
He called on countries around the world to help the Palestinian people build their own strong government institutions. According to him, it is important to support the Palestinian National Authority so it can improve services, build infrastructure, and lead the country towards a better future.
Economic Empowerment is Key to Peace
The Saudi foreign minister also talked about how important it is to support the Palestinian economy. He said that peace is not possible unless Palestinians are also supported in developing their economy and improving their standard of living.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia is already helping in many ways. The Kingdom is working closely with the Palestinian Authority in areas like education, digital technology, and human resource development. Saudi Arabia is also encouraging private companies to invest in the Palestinian economy. The goal is to help Palestinians live better lives and move toward long-term development and peace.
Welcoming International Financial Support
Prince Faisal praised the World Bank Group for its recent decision to give Palestine an annual grant of about $300 million. This money will go into a special trust fund to help people in Gaza and the West Bank. He said this kind of financial help is very important because it allows Palestinians to face daily challenges and make progress toward stability and development.
This funding is expected to help in many areas like building infrastructure, creating jobs, and providing education and health services.
Saudi Arabia's Long-Term Support for Peace
Prince Faisal reminded everyone that Saudi Arabia has been calling for peace since 2002. That was when the Arab Peace Initiative was first proposed. This plan supports the idea of a two-state solution, where an independent Palestinian state would be established with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said that this has been Saudi Arabia’s position for many years, and the Kingdom will continue to push for peace based on fairness and justice.
Appreciation for France’s Support
Prince Faisal also thanked France for its strong support for the Palestinian people. He especially appreciated France’s recent announcement that it is ready to officially recognize the State of Palestine. He said this shows that France truly supports the Palestinian people’s right to have their own country and to make their own decisions about their future.
He urged other countries to do the same. He said that the world must take serious steps toward ending the Israeli occupation. By recognizing Palestine and supporting real peace efforts, countries can help bring security and hope to everyone in the region.
Call for Global Unity and Responsibility
In his closing remarks, Prince Faisal called on all members of the international community to come together and take action. He said that now is the time for countries to show responsibility, to take a moral stand, and to support the rights of the Palestinian people.
He emphasized that the current moment is very serious, and real peace cannot wait any longer. The world must work together in a fair and balanced way to help both Palestinians and Israelis live in peace and security.
High-Level Attendance Shows Strong Support
Prince Faisal was joined at the conference by many important Saudi officials. These included Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud; Advisor for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan; Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah bin Zarah; and the Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil.
Other advisors from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such as Mohammed Alyahya and Dr. Manal Radwan, were also present. Their attendance shows how serious Saudi Arabia is about supporting peace and standing with the Palestinian people.
This speech by Prince Faisal at the UN shows Saudi Arabia's strong and continued support for the Palestinian cause. The Kingdom wants the world to come together to find real solutions, support Palestinian development, and bring peace to the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia believes that peace is possible—but only if we stop the violence, respect people’s rights, and build a future based on justice and cooperation.
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