This came in remarks delivered by the foreign ministers of several Arab countries on Monday during the second session of the international conference on the two-state solution, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France.
Qatar
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: "In the face of the catastrophic situation (in the Gaza Strip), Qatar has not hesitated to exert all its diplomatic efforts to stop the bloodshed of innocent people, alleviate their suffering, and release prisoners and detainees."
He affirmed his country's continued efforts "to achieve an immediate ceasefire as a prelude to ending the crisis and launching recovery and reconstruction efforts."
The Qatari Prime Minister reiterated his country's categorical rejection of "the use of food as a tool of pressure or a weapon in conflict," affirming its condemnation of "the policies of blockade and forced displacement practiced against civilians and the repeated targeting of hospitals and shelters for displaced persons in Gaza."
Saudi Arabia
For his part, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called on "all countries to recognize the State of Palestine."
He stressed that the conference to implement the two-state solution "is being held amidst continued escalation and the expansion of the conflict, without any consideration for regional and international repercussions."
He pointed out that "civilians in Gaza are being subjected to the most heinous violations, including starvation, bombing, displacement, and the systematic undermining of all international efforts to deliver aid."
The Saudi Foreign Minister affirmed that "peace will not be built without empowering the Palestinian people economically and developmentally," emphasizing that "the Kingdom is making continuous efforts to realize an independent Palestinian state."
Egypt
In turn, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty stressed the "need to create a political horizon and launch a negotiating process to achieve a just and comprehensive peace by implementing the two-state solution, ending the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, obligating Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied on June 4, 1967, and halting all unilateral measures, most notably settlement activity," according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Abdel-Ati called for "working to implement a number of measures, including ending the blatant Israeli aggression on Gaza, completing a ceasefire deal, and exchanging hostages and prisoners."
He also called for "enabling the United Nations and UNRWA to carry out their role in Gaza, and for humanitarian aid to flow without any obstacles."
He stressed the "need to support efforts to implement the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, and to provide the necessary capabilities to make the Gaza Strip viable again."
He pointed out that "recognizing Palestine is an inalienable right of the Palestinian people, and is linked to the right to self-determination."
Jordan
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi also called on "the countries of the world to recognize the Palestinian state," according to what was reported by the official Jordanian channel.
Safadi praised "France's recognition of the Palestinian state, and we call on more countries to take this step."
He stressed that "the catastrophic failure to implement the two-state solution is evident daily in the Palestinian territories, with killing, destruction, and starvation," emphasizing that "international law and humanitarian law have become mere slogans raised without actual implementation."
Safadi said, "The occupation has turned Gaza into a graveyard for its people, while Palestinians are being killed and starved before the eyes of the world." He warned that "hope for peace is dying under the arrogance of the occupation and its continued imposition of policies of oppression and aggression."
Palestine
For his part, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said, "We have waited for years for genuine international intervention that would launch us toward achieving a peaceful, just, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and the independence of the State of Palestine, in implementation of the two-state solution based on international legitimacy resolutions."
He continued: "This international conference must represent a turning point, translating positions and decisions into unprecedented international practical steps to halt the genocide, end the Israeli occupation, uphold Palestinian rights, and establish an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution in accordance with international law. This will pave the way for peace, security, stability, and prosperity in our region for the benefit of all peoples and countries."
Mustafa affirmed Palestine's readiness "to call for a temporary Arab and international support force to support stability, based on a Security Council resolution, to provide protection for our Palestinian people, ensure a ceasefire, and support the efforts of the Palestinian government and its security services, but not as a substitute for them, within a framework that contributes to the realization of an independent state based on international legitimacy resolutions and the implementation of the two-state solution."
France
France supported the Arab positions, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying, "It is an illusion to believe that a ceasefire can last without a comprehensive vision for what Gaza will look like after the war, without a political horizon, and without an alternative to permanent war."
Barrow stressed that "the two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace," considering that denying peoples the right to self-determination "inevitably leads to resentment, violence, and war."
Baro also criticized the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, attacks by extremist settlers, and the recent Knesset (parliament) vote in favor of full annexation of the occupied territories.
Barrot stressed that "France's full recognition of the State of Palestine next September would be a rejection of the logic of war and a call for peace," urging Israel to respond to international calls, lift the siege on Gaza, and return to negotiations.
The "International Palestine Conference" was scheduled to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20. However, following the Israeli attacks on Iran, which began on June 13 with US support and continued for 12 days, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the postponement of the conference.
Both Israel and its ally, the United States, have expressed their rejection of holding a conference to support the two-state solution.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been waging a war of extermination in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt the campaign.
The US-backed genocide left more than 205,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 9,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and a famine that claimed the lives of many.
