Latest news with #InternationalConferenceforthePeacefulSettlementoftheQuestionofPalestineandtheImplementationoftheTwo-StateSolution
Ammon
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ammon
UN faces test on Palestine
Ammon News - The stage is set for the upcoming United Nations' International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The session, to be held June 17-20, 2025, will be chaired by President Emmanuel Macron of France and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. France and a number of other countries are understood to be planning formal recognition of the State of Palestine. Netanyahu has announced that should this happen Israel will retaliate by formal annexing the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In a sense, the threats are meaningless, not because Israel could not take measures to sabotage a Palestinian state, but because it's been doing this for several decades, and has accelerated its efforts in recent years. The daily news from Gaza is numbing. After 18 months of devastation, Israel agreed to a ceasefire in March, only to break it and intensify their plans to ethnically cleanse and annex large swathes of territory. Daily, there are reports of Israeli bombings or shootings killing scores of Palestinians at shelters or food distribution sites. The Israelis at first deny each instance, then deny that they had anything to do with it—blaming Hamas or arguing their soldiers 'were forced to shoot in the air' to control unruly crowds. When all else fails, they announce a military review panel is looking into it (coupled with the charge that anyone prejudging public issuance of findings is guilty of harboring anti-Israel bias). There is never accountability and the killings continue. The Netanyahu government's plan for Gaza is taking shape. The now-established Israeli-US 'humanitarian mission' in Gaza will facilitate their 'ethnic cleansing.' First, the Israelis are conducting 'mopping up' operations in the north, evicting as many Palestinians as possible from 80 per cent of Gaza and forcing them into congested areas along the southern border. Then, after denying Palestinians food aid for three months, these Israeli-run food distribution sites are established in the south as the only place to access food. As throngs of desperate Palestinians mass at the sites, the Israelis use live ammunition as crowd control. The entire enterprise is criminal, yet it continues. The situation in the West Bank has gone from bad to worse. Months of raids have killed 1,000 Palestinians and destroyed the homes of 40,000. The Israeli government has authorized the establishment of 22 new settlements, confiscation of more Palestinian lands, and construction of more Jewish-only roads. This furthers the cantonization of the West Bank, isolating Palestinian population centers from one another. Israel is following the 'Drobles Plan,' devised in 1978 by Mattityahu Drobles of the World Zionist Organisation. He envisioned total conquest of the West Bank through establishing Israeli settlement blocs connected by highways and infrastructure, dividing the area and making a contiguous Palestinian state impossible. In the 1970s, Israel's Labor governments rejected this idea, building settlements along the 1967 lines. When Likud came to power, they embraced Drobles and began its implementation without formally acknowledging it. Now they have. Palestinians in East Jerusalem fare no better. They face threats of home and property confiscation and the weaponized archaeology as Israel seizes important historical sites, while ignoring their importance to Palestinian Muslims or Christians. Christians and Muslims seeking to pray on their holy days are violently assaulted or harassed, while Jewish worshippers who violate the previously accepted 'status quo' at the Haram al Sharif are protected by the Israeli military. In the past, a handful of Jewish religious extremists committed such violations, but now thousands, including government officials, annually invade the Haram. And so, the upcoming UN sessions will be a test of wills, pitting the Israeli government, backed by the US, against the rest of the world. We know Israel's playbook. The question is: will other nations find the resolve to confront Israel and take action? More than recognition of Palestinian rights, verbal protests, or resolutions disapproving of Israeli policies is required. Europe can't protest settlements and genocide in Gaza, while continuing to be the largest buyers of Israeli-made weapons. Without applying sanctions (like Spain) or boycotting settlement products (like Ireland), nothing will change. What is at stake in next week's UN sessions is more than recognition of a Palestinian state; it's the survival of the rule of law and human rights covenants and the integrity of the United Nations.
Leaders
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Developments in Gaza
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Wednesday held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in Oslo, Norway, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). During their meeting, the two foreign ministers reviewed the relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Moreover, they discussed the latest developments in the region, with a special focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. They also explored efforts made to address the crisis. In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that both ministers explored avenues for strengthening economic and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in line with the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council. Their discussions also touched upon efforts towards de-escalation and restoration of ceasefire in Gaza, as well as preparations for the upcoming International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Furthermore, they discussed the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee's efforts in supporting the Palestinian people, reiterating their firm rejection of the displacement of the Palestinians from their land. The meeting also discussed the latest developments in Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa. Both ministers stressed the importance of intensifying joint Arab efforts to preserve the region's security and stability. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2025, organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Switzerland. Short link : Post Views: 103
Leaders
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Saudi FM Arrives in Madrid for Arab-EU Meeting on Gaza War
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has arrived in the capital of Spain, Madrid, to take part in a crucial meeting on the latest developments in Gaza, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Prince Faisal bin Farhan will participate in the expanded meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit concerning developments in the Gaza Strip, the Madrid Group, and several European States. The meeting, scheduled for May 25, 2025, will discuss the developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, as well as the international efforts to end the war and alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the enclave. Furthermore, the meeting will discuss the ongoing preparations for the upcoming International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which Saudi Arabia will co-chair alongside France from June 17-20, 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York. The Saudi Foreign Minister, alongside his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, on Friday took part in a meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot, in Paris. Their meeting addressed international efforts to end the war in Gaza and allow unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the Strip. They also discussed strengthening joint efforts to halt all Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and supporting endeavors aimed at advancing peace in the region and implementing the two-state solution in accordance with relevant international laws. Short link : Post Views: 59
Leaders
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Joins 5th Meeting of Global Alliance for Two-State Solution
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday took part in the 5th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Morocco's capital, Rabat, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The meeting, co-organized by Morocco and the Netherlands, built upon the Global Alliance's previous meetings held in Riyadh, Brussels, Oslo, and Cairo to coordinate international efforts aimed at supporting the two-state solution as well as bringing peace to the Middle East. In September 2024, Saudi Arabia launched the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, in partnership with Norway and the European Union (EU). The announcement came during a high-level ministerial meeting chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The Rabat meeting took place amid the ongoing preparations for the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which Saudi Arabia will co-chair alongside France from June 17-20, 2025 in New York. Under the theme 'Sustaining Momentum for the Peace Process: Lessons Learned, Success Stories and Steps Forward,' the meeting in Rabat brought together the representatives of several member states, in addition to international organizations. The Counselor at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Manal Radwan, represented Saudi Arabia in the meeting, alongside Counselor Mohamed Al-Harbi. Short link : Post Views: 23
Leaders
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
UK Considers Palestine Recognition at Two-State Solution Conference
The UK is holding discussions with France and Saudi Arabia over the official recognition of a Palestinian State. According to the British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, this move could take place at the International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which Saudi Arabia will co-chair alongside France in June. UK Recognition of Palestine Speaking to the Lords international relations select committee, Lammy pointed out that the UK wanted to take this step when it would have tangible results, not just as a symbolic gesture, reported The Guardian. The UK Foreign Secretary added that some European countries' recognition of Palestine had not made any change on the ground, noting that the UK wants this recognition to be part of a political process that achieves progress and leads to two states. 'It's unacceptable for any group of people to have lived with no state for longer than I've been alive,' he told the committee. 'No one has a veto on when the UK recognizes that Palestinian state … We have always said that recognition is not an end in of itself and we will prefer recognition as a part of a process to two states,' Lammy said. The Viable Solution Lammy told the committee that a long-term solution would involve Hamas not governing Gaza and a full demilitarization process of the Strip. He also voiced concern regarding Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, which 'undermines the viability of the two states,' adding that settlement violence levels were 'shocking.' Additionally, Lammy criticized Israel for blocking aid entry into Gaza for 60 days. 'The blockade of necessary aid into Gaza is horrendous, the suffering is dire, the need is huge, the loss of life is extreme,' he noted. Strengthening UK-Palestinian Ties On April 28, 2025, the Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister, Mohammad Mustafa, visited the UK, in his first official visit to the country since 2021, upon the invitation of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. The invitation 'reflects the UK's steadfast support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people at a critical juncture in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and desire to further strengthen bilateral relations,' the British government said in a press release. During the visit, the UK reiterated its unwavering commitment to advancing a two-state solution as the only pathway to achieving just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It also stressed that the PA is the only legitimate governing entity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Fostering Partnership During the visit, the PA and the UK signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership between both governments. Moreover, the MoU establishes a new framework to guide and enhance the strategic partnership, and high-level dialogue across areas of mutual interest and benefit, including economic development and institutional reform. It also emphasizes the commitment of the PA to deliver its reform agenda as a matter of priority. Two-State Solution Conference Saudi Arabia and France have called for an international conference to advance peace and implement the two-state solution, in a bid to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In December 2024, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced during a visit to Saudi Arabia, that he and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, would co-chair a conference in June 2025 focused on establishing a Palestinian state. 'President Macron has had a lot to say about that, most recently, alongside the Saudis, and of course we are in discussion with them at this time,' Lammy said, referring to the conference. International Recognition So far, 160 countries recognize Palestine, including most recently Spain, Norway and Ireland. The recognition of Palestine by France and the UK – two permanent UN Security Council Members – would add weight to the list of states recognizing Palestine. However, it would face diplomatic hurdles as Israel – a key ally of both countries – is opposing the move. Earlier in April, Macron unveiled that France plans to recognize Palestine in June. 'Our goal is to chair this conference with Saudi Arabia in June. We aim to finalize reciprocal recognition by several countries,' the French President said following his visit to Egypt. The French recognition of Palestine would be the first by a G7 member state. Macron said that the move was aimed to 'trigger a series of other recognitions … including the recognition of Israel by states that do not currently do so.' Short link : Post Views: 7
