Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan: Israeli occupation main source of regional instability

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan have declared that Israeli occupation is the primary source of instability in the region and beyond, warning of the consequences of Israeli policies and calling for an end to violence and settlement activity. They urged the immediate implementation of a two-state solution that would establish an independent Palestinian state along the June 5, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement was issued following a meeting of the four ministers in Istanbul, where they reaffirmed their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign, viable, and contiguous state, paving the way for comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The ministers called for an immediate halt to Israeli violence and rejected attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem. They demanded an end to the destruction and humanitarian tragedy in the Palestinian territories, and condemned both past and ongoing settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as settler violence against Palestinians.

The quartet stressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza and for reconstruction efforts to continue, as part of supporting Palestinian rights and seeking a political settlement based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

On Yemen, the foreign ministers strongly condemned the escalation by the Houthis, saying it has worsened the humanitarian crisis. They also denounced continued attacks on Saudi Arabia, especially those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.

The ministers expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government, urging the Houthis to immediately halt all military actions, threats, and attacks, and to return to the political process in good faith.

Regarding the military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the ministers stressed that the dispute must be addressed solely through dialogue and diplomacy, and that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including ships, must not be targeted.

They voiced support for the memorandum of understanding signed in Islamabad and welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, reiterating their commitment to achieving a sustainable negotiated solution.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and the lasting safety and security of maritime routes, warning that any disruption threatens the security and prosperity of states, impacts global supply chains, and affects the flow of energy, fertilizers, and food, thereby increasing the burden on vulnerable populations in the region and beyond.

They rejected any measures or restrictions that impede legitimate navigation, and called for the swift and full resumption of safe and unobstructed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the need to intensify international efforts to address challenges threatening global trade and supply routes.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan agreed to continue consultations and coordination on these issues, including developments in Palestine and Yemen, the dispute involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and maritime security, as part of efforts to promote peace and stability in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.