Global Leaders Reaffirm Commitment To Two-State Solution In Madrid Meeting

Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended a meeting in Madrid with representatives from the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The meeting included officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain. A joint statement was issued after the discussions.

The joint statement emphasized a collective commitment to implementing the two-State solution as the only path to lasting peace and security in the Middle East. The representatives highlighted that unilateral actions and extremism have hindered peace efforts. They stressed that relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and international law principles should guide this process.

Since October 7th, there has been an unprecedented crisis causing immense human suffering and violations of international law. The group condemned all forms of violence and terrorism. They called for a credible implementation of the two-State solution to ensure peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The statement welcomed ongoing mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. It rejected any actions that might obstruct these mediation processes. The representatives called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees.

They also urged for the reestablishment of full control by the Palestinian Authority over border crossings like Rafah. Additionally, they demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid delivery through all Israeli crossings.

International Community's Role

The group urged the international community to take active steps towards implementing the two-State solution. This includes universal recognition of Palestine as a state and its admission as a full member of the United Nations. They reiterated that mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine is crucial for peace.

The representatives warned against dangerous escalations in the West Bank. They called for an immediate halt to military attacks on Palestinians and illegal measures like land confiscation and displacement. They emphasized maintaining Jerusalem’s historical status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites.

Future Peace Efforts

The statement recalled that their countries had agreed on convening an international peace conference soon. They invited all UN members to join a broader meeting on Gaza's situation and implementing the two-State solution during the next UN General Assembly session on September 26th, 2024.

The group reiterated their commitment to advancing peace efforts based on mutual recognition and cooperation for shared stability in the region.

With inputs from SPA