Saudi Foreign Minister Urges Action On Palestinian Support At OIC Session

In a significant diplomatic gathering, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah represented Saudi Arabia at the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The primary agenda was to address the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. The minister underscored the urgency for international intervention to halt these actions, highlighting the protection of civilians, lifting the siege on Gaza, and ensuring continuous humanitarian aid as critical steps.

Prince Faisal expressed deep concern over the potential expansion of military operations towards Rafah, emphasizing the increased suffering it would bring to civilians in Gaza. He reiterated the Islamic countries' stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians and stressed the necessity for their immediate and safe return.

The Kingdom has been proactive in its diplomatic efforts, engaging with global partners and leveraging its position within key international forums to advocate for a cessation of hostilities and protection for Palestinian civilians. Prince Faisal noted a shift in international sentiment, with more countries advocating for a ceasefire and showing openness to recognizing the State of Palestine.

Highlighting the critical role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Prince Faisal warned against the consequences of withholding funding from the agency. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's continued support for UNRWA and called on other nations to resume their contributions to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In his concluding remarks, Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This vision aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative and international resolutions aimed at securing a peaceful future for Palestinians.

The session also saw participation from Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin AbdulKarim El-Khereiji and Permanent Representative to the OIC Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, underscoring Saudi Arabia's commitment to resolving this longstanding conflict.

With inputs from SPA