Saudi Arabia calls on international community to translate two-state solution into action At Manama Dialogue Forum 2024, Prince Faisal warns against hate rhetoric over West Bank

MANAMA — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan called on the international community to act swiftly to translate into action the two-state solution for the Palestine issue. "If the international community is interested in protecting what remains of the credibility of its rules and institutions, it must join hands with Saudi Arabia and regional countries that are serious about peace in order to translate words into deeds and embody the two-state solution on the ground. It is time for us to overcome the stagnation that has marred the peace process over the past years, and move from talking about peace to making peace," he said while delivering a special keynote address at the 20th session of the Manama Dialogue Forum 2024 on Saturday.
The forum is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). A special session was held within the forum's activities, moderated by the CEO of the Institute Dr. Bastian Giegerich on "The art of managing state affairs". "The forum is being held in light of critical circumstances that the international system is going through, and the pace of conflicts and crises is increasing, and tensions, polarizations, challenges and common threats are intensifying," the Saudi minister said.
He noted that the discussions of the 20th session of the Manama Dialogue regarding the Middle East to shape regional prosperity and security are extremely important, as achieving prosperity in the region is linked to establishing security. "Both depend on establishing the foundations of peace; therefore, there will be no sustainable peace if the punishment of killing and displacement continues," he said.
Prince Faisal considered that the region is not isolated from developments in the international environment, and vice versa. "The crises and conflicts that occur in it have effects that extend beyond the borders of the region, affecting international security and stability, and posing a threat to the safety of the global economy. There must be a serious political will to establish peace, overcome crises, and respond to the requirements of development and economic integration," he said and continued: "We affirm our commitment with our brothers and partners to the path of regional reconciliation, strengthening ties of cooperation, giving priority to dialogue, strengthening international partnerships, and building new foundations for regional economic integration," he said.
Regarding the war in Gaza, the Saudi minister said: "The continuation of the war in Gaza and its regional expansion weakens the international security system and threatens the credibility of laws, especially in light of Israel's continued impunity and targeting of the United Nations and its agencies. Adherence to the principles of international law and a single standard is necessary to maintain general security and stability. Otherwise, it leads to the erosion of the foundations of the international system and its institutions, which requires the international community to intensify its efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire, lift all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and release hostages and detainees," he said.
Prince Faisal said that Saudi Arabia will continue to support all serious and realistic efforts to reach a just and comprehensive solution, and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions. The foreign minister stressed the importance of containing the crises and conflicts taking place in the region. "Crises and wars put us at a crossroads and that requires us to return to the path of peace. It is time to overcome the stalemate that has surrounded the Palestinian peace process and work towards a comprehensive and just solution on the 1967 borders," he said while noting that Saudi Arabia has launched an international coalition with its partners to reach a two-state solution and give the Palestinian people their rights. He stressed the need to stop the war in Gaza, resolve the hostage crisis, and embody the two-state solution on the ground.
Prince Faisal warned against hate speech and incitement, most notably statements about annexing the West Bank. "We need serious partners in achieving peace, and we must have a path based on peace, and the region needs to be built in the face of saboteurs. We also warn against the spread of hate speech and incitement that fuels extremists on all sides, including statements threatening to annex the West Bank, expand settlements, and fight the two-state solution," he said while emphasizing that Saudi Arabia believes that the path to peace is clear, but it is fraught with obstacles. "If we contemplate the reality of the crisis today, we will find that the enemies of peace, although they are on opposite sides, have one thing in common, which is that their practices undermine the two-state solution," he said.
Prince Faisal welcomed the decision to ceasefire in Lebanon, and hopes that international efforts exerted in this framework will lead to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, in a way that preserves Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability, strengthens its institutions, ends human suffering, and allows people to return to their homes. "The rest of the region's crises in Sudan, Syria and Libya are also witnessing an escalation in military operations, which has complicated the inevitability of rejecting violence and military solutions and providing political solutions," he added