At a high-level international forum, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm and unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, expressing its absolute rejection and strong condemnation of the unilateral and illegal measures taken by the Israeli occupation authorities, which constitute a blatant attack on the Palestinian people’s inherent right to establish their independent and sovereign state.
This affirmation came during the participation of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, in the proceedings of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council. In a statement delivered by the Kingdom's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khathila, Saudi Arabia stressed that Israeli practices, particularly in the occupied West Bank, constitute a grave violation of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, and systematically undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution.
Historical background and a firm Saudi stance
The Saudi position is based on decades of political and diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause, which was clearly articulated in the Arab Peace Initiative launched by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (then Crown Prince) in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League. This initiative is based on the principle of “land for peace,” offering full normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel in exchange for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967, including the Syrian Golan Heights, a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Current Israeli actions, such as land confiscation, directly contradict the spirit and essence of this initiative, which remains the Arab strategic option for achieving a just and comprehensive peace.
The importance of the situation and its expected impact
The Saudi position carries significant weight both regionally and internationally. Regionally , this condemnation sends a clear message that the security and stability of the region are inextricably linked to resolving the Palestinian issue, and that attempts to impose a fait accompli will only lead to further tension. Internationally , the Saudi move at the Human Rights Council aims to mobilize global public opinion and pressure influential powers to assume their responsibilities in curbing Israeli violations. Furthermore, the condemnation of the targeting of UNRWA facilities and the demolition of its buildings highlights the systematic targeting of international relief organizations and places upon the international community the responsibility to protect these organizations and ensure the continuation of their vital humanitarian work.
The Kingdom affirmed that the Israeli occupation authorities’ decision to designate Palestinian lands in the West Bank as “state land” is a null and void measure aimed at imposing a new legal and administrative reality to serve settlement expansion, thus eliminating any chance of establishing a viable and geographically contiguous Palestinian state. In closing, the Kingdom reiterated its call upon the international community to take immediate action to halt these practices, provide protection for the Palestinian people, compel Israel to respect international law, and support the Palestinians’ right to establish their independent state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
