In a move reflecting growing international appreciation for Saudi diplomacy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause were widely praised during the 16th Asian Parliamentary Assembly meeting, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Kingdom's delegation to this important forum was headed by His Excellency the Speaker of the Shura Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh, underscoring the importance the Kingdom attaches to joint parliamentary action on the Asian stage.
Historical background of the Saudi position
This praise was not a spontaneous outburst, but rather the culmination of decades of unwavering and continuous Saudi support for the Palestinian cause on all political, economic, and humanitarian levels. Historically, the Kingdom has played a pivotal role in defending the rights of the Palestinian people, from supporting resolutions of international legitimacy to launching historic peace initiatives. The Arab Peace Initiative, launched by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (when he was Crown Prince) at the Beirut Summit in 2002, stands as the most prominent example of this approach, offering a comprehensive roadmap for ending the conflict based on a two-state solution—a position the Kingdom continues to uphold and urges the international community to adopt.
Details of the meeting and the Manama Declaration
The meeting, held under the theme “The Role of Asian Parliaments in Promoting Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations in Asia,” saw broad participation from over 190 representatives from 27 countries. In his opening remarks, the Speaker of the Bahraini Parliament and President of the Assembly, Mr. Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, commended the tireless efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the French Republic, to garner international recognition of the State of Palestine. Mr. Al-Musallam also welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the “New York Declaration” on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question, which emphasizes the necessity of implementing the two-state solution as the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace.
Regional and international importance and influence
This commendation from the Asian Parliamentary Assembly is particularly significant, as it comes from a platform representing a large segment of the world's population. It reflects a growing Asian consensus on the justness of the Palestinian cause and the necessity of supporting diplomatic efforts to resolve it. Regionally, this stance strengthens coordination between Arab and Asian states and unifies parliamentary perspectives on critical issues. Internationally, this support adds new momentum to global efforts aimed at pressing for an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, affirming that Saudi diplomacy, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince, continues to garner recognition for its active role in promoting global security and stability.
