Saudi Arabia and Arab, Islamic states condemn Israeli ministers’ remarks on Gaza displacement

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt have strongly condemned statements by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz regarding the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, the ministers said these remarks, which included proposals and mechanisms for forcibly removing Palestinians from their land, constitute a blatant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and pose a direct threat to the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The ministers reiterated their unequivocal rejection and condemnation of any attempts or plans to displace the Palestinian people, whether within the occupied Palestinian territories or beyond, under any pretext or justification. They warned of the serious consequences if such calls were to become official policy or practical measures aimed at uprooting Palestinians from their land.

Warning against undermining peace efforts

The ministers added that such actions directly challenge international efforts to achieve peace, including the comprehensive plan put forward by former US President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Gaza, which explicitly rejects forced displacement. They also warned of the grave risks that could undermine prospects for stability in the region.

The ministers stressed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and emphasized the importance of preserving the unity of Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. They affirmed that the only path to a just and lasting peace is the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international resolutions.

Call for international action

The foreign ministers called on the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities and oppose any attempts to impose new demographic or geographic realities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and to ensure respect for international law. They also reaffirmed their full support for the resilience of the Palestinian people and their rejection of any attempts to erase the Palestinian cause or undermine the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.