94Ha Viewpoint
Arab and Islamic leaders held a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, demanding that Israel withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories and allow Palestine to become a sovereign state in order to achieve peace in the Middle East. However, Israel insists that the establishment of a Palestinian state is unrealistic and vows to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The Arab-Islamic Countries Summit took place on Monday, November 11th, in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Leaders at the summit issued a joint statement saying, “Without ending Israel’s occupation of all Arab lands and restoring the borders of June 4, 1967, a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East will not be possible.”
The statement also urged the international community to initiate a plan with concrete steps and a timeline to make the sovereignty of Palestine a reality.
Leaders from various countries also condemned Israel’s “shocking” actions in Gaza. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed stated: “Saudi Arabia once again condemns and strongly opposes Israel’s acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.” Two months ago, Mohammed had made it clear that Saudi Arabia would not recognize Israel unless Palestine was established as a state. He emphasized that the world must immediately stop Israel’s actions and urged Israel not to attack Iran.
The joint statement called on all countries to prohibit the export or transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel and requested the International Criminal Court to indict Israeli officials for crimes against the Palestinian people.
However, on the same day, Israel hinted that it may target Iranian nuclear facilities. Defense Minister Katz said, “Iran’s nuclear facilities are now more vulnerable to attack than ever before. We have an opportunity to achieve the most important goal, which is to thwart and eliminate the existential threat faced by Israel.”
Hamas issued a statement on Monday calling for follow-up actions from other countries. “To establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, more urgent efforts and practical solutions are needed to compel Israel to cease its aggression and genocide against our people.”
International Crisis Organization analyst Jacobs pointed out, “This summit is an opportunity for regional leaders to signal to the incoming U.S. Trump administration how they wish the U.S. to engage in Middle East affairs.”
Iran’s First Vice President Arif also spoke at the summit, stating that the world is waiting for Trump to “immediately stop the war against the innocent people of Gaza and Lebanon.” Despite facing international pressure, the Netanyahu government in Israel remains staunchly opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Right-wing Finance Minister Smotrich even stated in parliament on Monday that Israel is preparing to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank by 2025.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar stated that the government has not made a decision on this matter, but he also mentioned that the idea of a Palestinian state is not realistic. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s statements as ignoring international consensus on a two-state solution and perpetuating a war that leads to the extinction and displacement of their people.
On the other hand, Saar revealed progress in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He stated that to reach a ceasefire agreement, it is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from bringing weapons from Syria, and Russia may play a role in this regard.
However, Defense Minister Katz, in a speech to senior officers, said that Israel will not cease its attacks on Hezbollah and will not agree to a ceasefire with Lebanon. He stated that if there is a proposal that can lead Israel to declare victory, “we will certainly consider it very seriously.”
Hezbollah officials mentioned that with the upcoming change in the U.S. government, Washington, Moscow, Tehran, and other parties are strengthening political contacts, but Hezbollah has not yet received a formal ceasefire proposal.
