Saudi Arabia leads the way in push for two-state solution

Arab News

10 hours ago

https://arab.news/jwk66
Anyone following developments in the Middle East will have noticed a clear surge in Saudi Arabia's engagement with the Palestinian cause since Oct. 7, 2023. This momentum goes beyond a political or humanitarian position; it reflects a strategic vision. The Kingdom has reinforced this commitment by sponsoring international conferences, building broad alliances with partner nations, and providing critical funding for food and medical supplies to Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Saudi efforts have evolved steadily from vocal advocacy to leading a political process aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state, strengthened by a strong partnership with European nations.
The international conference on the two-state solution, held in July at the UN headquarters in New York, and co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, brought together representatives from more than 125 countries. The summit aimed to initiate a clear political process to end the war in Gaza and advocate for the recognition of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN resolutions.
The conference adopted a declaration presenting a comprehensive framework with clear, time-bound measures. These included an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the transfer of administrative control to the Palestinian Authority, and the deployment of a temporary international mission under UN supervision to help stabilize the situation.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted that 'these outcomes offer a comprehensive set of proposals encompassing political, humanitarian, security, economic, legal, and strategic dimensions,' forming 'a practical and actionable framework for implementing the two-state solution and securing lasting peace and security for all.' He called on 'all UN member states to endorse the final declaration before the conclusion of the upcoming General Assembly session in September.'
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged all nations to view the conference as a critical turning point in advancing the two-state solution and ending the war in Gaza. He emphasized the urgent need to cease attacks on civilians and to pursue a path toward lasting and sustainable peace.
The international conference on the two-state solution was a critical turning point.
Hassan Al-Mustafa
Saudi Arabia's active diplomacy has firmly underscored that normalization with Tel Aviv will not take place unless Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories and commits to a serious, credible peace process. This unequivocal position was clearly stated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the Saudi Shoura Council in September 2024, when he declared: 'The Kingdom will not waver in its tireless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the Kingdom will not enter into diplomatic relations with Israel without that.'
The international conference achieved several key strategic objectives, most notably reviving global momentum for the two-state solution following years of diminished focus and the war in Gaza since October 2023; reaffirming the legitimacy and authority of the Palestinian Authority; and establishing a clear link between normalization and a concrete political framework. In essence, peace and normalization are now firmly tied to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, laying the foundation for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Another major political achievement — long a source of concern for Israel and a point of unease for the US administration — has been the momentum gained in pushing key European countries toward recognizing the state of Palestine. France is set to lead this initiative in September, along with other nations, such as Ireland, Portugal, and the UK.
The conference also firmly linked the peace process to halting settlement expansion, rejecting the illegal annexation of Palestinian land, and ending violence against Palestinian civilians. This stance was underscored by the explicit use of the term 'terrorism' to describe the violent attacks carried out by extremist settlers against unarmed Palestinians and their property.
This summit was not a reiteration of past initiatives, but rather a unified political declaration to redefine the negotiating framework and establish a new political and legal balance of power. It stood in direct opposition to Israel's policies, which have dismantled previous regional dynamics through the use of force, starvation, and forced displacement.
For the first time in decades, the two-state solution has been advanced outside the framework of traditional American dominance, under the joint sponsorship of Saudi Arabia and France. This shift highlights the growing diplomatic influence of the Middle East, which has succeeded in rallying influential European nations and establishing lasting strategic partnerships.
The underlying message is unmistakable: Israel can no longer rely exclusively on US protection to sideline Palestinian demands. Negotiations have shifted. They are no longer defined by a stark imbalance between a militarily dominant power and a counterpart relying solely on the strength of international law and moral legitimacy.
France's decision to recognize a Palestinian state in September is not a mere symbolic gesture, but a significant shift with serious implications, which explains Israel's concern.
Paris is breaking away from the traditionally passive or hesitant European stance, most notably that of Germany, and is instead embracing a more assertive and proactive diplomatic approach.
France is working to solidify its role as a key interlocutor, an alternative actor, and a 'parallel mediator' to the US. While an imbalance of power and influence remains — and Washington continues to play a central role in Middle Eastern affairs — this shift in French diplomacy reinforces the emergence of a multipolar approach to conflict resolution. It also places growing pressure on Israel to acknowledge that its occupation is no longer seen as legitimate or acceptable in the eyes of the Western world, especially as its image among broad segments of the European public is now deeply tarnished by associations with violence and bloodshed.
What lies ahead? Politically, pressure on Israel is set to intensify, especially if France proceeds with its recognition of the state of Palestine and is followed by other countries, notably the UK. Diplomatically, we can expect active Saudi engagement in international forums to support new resolutions on Palestine, along with renewed efforts in Washington to convince President Donald Trump's administration that a credible peace process serves the interests of the US, the Middle East, and even Israel. Without such engagement, the region risks descending further into chaos and hostility, fostering generations without hope.
• Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher interested in Islamic movements, the development of religious discourse and the relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran. X: @Halmustafa