Saudi foreign minister urges action against Israeli settlement expansion

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan co-chaired the high-level meeting "The Way Forward: One Year Since the New York Declaration and the Comprehensive Peace Plan" in New York, alongside representatives from France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

In his address to the summit, the minister commended France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and a growing number of countries for recognizing the State of Palestine and for taking steps to promote accountability regarding illegal settlements. He urged nations that have not yet recognized Palestine to do so.

He stressed the need to confront settlement expansion, settler violence, and annexation policies, and to preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem. He also called for rejecting violence, hatred, and incitement from all sides, and for fostering an environment conducive to peace and reconciliation.

Regarding Gaza, Prince Faisal called for the full and immediate implementation of the comprehensive plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid, and unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

He emphasized that security should be based on interconnectedness and mutual interests, not on the security of one party at the expense of another. He affirmed that the realization of an independent Palestinian state and ending the occupation are essential pillars for the region’s security and stability.

The foreign minister reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will continue working with its partners to achieve a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, relevant UN resolutions, and the New York Declaration—a peace that ends the conflict, guarantees rights and security for all, and opens new horizons for stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region.

The summit was attended by Prince Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al-Kabir, Director General of Policy Planning, and Manal Radwan, Minister Plenipotentiary and Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Negotiations and Peace Efforts.

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