Jeddah, March 06, 2024, Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah engaged in the extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, convened in Jeddah to address the escalating Israeli aggression against the Palestinian populace.
During the session, the foreign minister underscored the imperative for the international community and the UN Security Council to intervene and halt Israeli hostilities against Palestinians. He advocated for the safeguarding of civilian lives, the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, and the unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid.
Expressing profound concerns over the assault on the city of Rafah, Prince Faisal cautioned that further military incursions would only exacerbate the suffering of vulnerable civilians in Gaza. He reiterated the collective rejection by Islamic nations of the forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasized the urgent need for their safe return to their homes.
Highlighting the Kingdom's proactive diplomatic efforts, the minister revealed ongoing bilateral engagements with numerous countries and emphasized the critical role of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit's ministerial committee in urging global stakeholders to de-escalate the crisis and protect innocent lives. He noted positive shifts in some countries' stances, including calls for an immediate ceasefire and willingness to recognize the State of Palestine.
Prince Faisal directed a poignant message to nations considering recognition of Palestine, urging them to seize the moment and exert pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign and embrace a two-state solution.
Regarding humanitarian aid, the minister stressed the detrimental impact of withholding support from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) on Gaza's civilians, advocating for sustained backing to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Encouraging countries that suspended aid to UNRWA to reconsider their decisions, Prince Faisal emphasized the agency's indispensable role in providing essential services to Palestinians amidst the ongoing turmoil.
In his concluding remarks, the foreign minister reiterated the imperative of ending Palestinian suffering and reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to a credible path leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions.
The Saudi delegation to the OIC meeting comprised Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin AbdulKarim El-Khereiji and Permanent Representative to the OIC Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, demonstrating the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to addressing the Palestinian crisis at the highest diplomatic levels.
