Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, EU states discuss Gaza crisis and push for two-state solution in Madrid
MADRID — The Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, mandated by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, convened a high-level meeting in Madrid on Sunday, to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza and the West Bank and to coordinate efforts toward a sustainable peace solution.
The meeting was chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Nuh Yilmaz.
They held expanded talks with the Madrid Group and several European countries, focusing on halting the war in Gaza, ending the humanitarian crisis, and advancing preparations for the upcoming high-level international peace conference on the two-state solution, to be co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France at the United Nations in New York this June.
The committee stressed the importance of joint coordination to ensure the success of the peace conference, calling for clear political, economic, and security commitments that will support the realization of a two-state solution.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution based on international resolutions, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.They also welcomed the efforts of the Madrid Group and European nations in supporting these peace objectives.The committee expressed support for the ongoing Qatari-Egyptian-American mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire, secure the release of hostages and detainees, and emphasized the urgent need to lift the blockade on Gaza, reopen all crossings unconditionally, and ensure uninterrupted humanitarian aid delivery.Condemning the ongoing violations committed by Israeli forces against civilians in Gaza, the committee called for upholding international law and international humanitarian law.The members also reaffirmed their backing for early recovery efforts and the reconstruction of Gaza under the Arab Reconstruction Plan adopted at the Cairo Summit.They voiced support for the upcoming international conference Egypt plans to host in cooperation with the Palestinian government and the United Nations to mobilize reconstruction efforts.The committee also praised recent reform efforts by the Palestinian government, reaffirming steadfast support for all initiatives that serve the security, stability, and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
Israel Authorizes Controversial Settlement Project that Would Split West Bank
Israel has given final approval on a controversial settlement project that will divide the occupied West Bank in two, Reuters reported. Undermining Palestinian Statehood On Wednesday, Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said that the settlement plan, known as the E1 project, will obstruct efforts to establish an independent Palestinian State. 'With E1 we are delivering finally on what has been promised for years. The Palestinian state is being erased from the table, not with slogans but with actions. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea,' he said in a statement. Smotrich announced the plan last week as a response to the recent wave of countries announcing their intention to recognize a Palestinian State at the UN General Assembly in September. The recognition of Palestinian Statehood is part of an international push to advance the two-state solution, which envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, living side by side with Israel. E1 Settlement Project Plans for settlement in E1, an area east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades but was frozen amid US and European opposition that the project could undermine a future peace deal with the Palestinians. The E1 project involves the construction of about 3,400 new housing units in Maale Adumin. Israel has built about 160 settlements, housing some 700,000 Jews, since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, according to BBC. Settlement Expansion The international law deems settlements illegal. However, successive Israeli governments have allowed settlements to expand, most notably since the return of Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to power in late 2022. Netanyahu has not commented on the E1 approval announcement. But during a visit to a West Bank settlement on Sunday, he said: 'I said 25 years ago that we will do everything to secure our grip on the Land of Israel, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, to prevent the attempts to uproot us from here. Thank God, what I promised, we have delivered.' International Condemnation In response to the announcement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the plan as it will 'isolate Palestinian communities living in the area and undermines the possibility of a two-state solution.' Similarly, a spokesperson for the German government on Wednesday said that the E1 plan violates international law and 'hinders a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.' The E1 settlement project also faced strong opposition from Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, as it will further undermine the two-state solution. Short link : Post Views: 8
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi FM discusses over phone regional situation with his Qatari, UAE, and Bahrain counterparts
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed over phone on Wednesday the latest regional developments with his counterparts of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Prince Faisal made phone calls with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. During the talks, they reviewed bilateral relations between their countries. They also discussed the latest international developments, and issues of common interest.
Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
Leading Maritime Security Efforts: Saudi Arabia Takes Command of CTF-150
Saudi Arabia has assumed command of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) – a multinational maritime task force responsible for conducting maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf against threats from non-state actors. During an official ceremony onboard the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, the Royal Saudi Navy Commodore, Fahad S. Al Joaid, assumed command of the CTF-150 from the Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore, Rodger Ward, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), US Navy Vice Adm., George Wikoff, presided over the change of command ceremony, with the attendance of Chief of Staff of the Saudi Naval Forces, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Gharibi; Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain, Naif Al-Sudairy; and a number of officials, ambassadors, and military attachés. In a speech, Al Joaid emphasized the full readiness of the naval forces for the task. 'This mission carries great responsibility. We will build on the achievements of our predecessors and work closely with all CMF partners to safeguard these vital waters together,' he said. This marks the fourth time for Saudi Arabia to assume command of the CTF-150, according to Al Joaid. The Royal Saudi Naval Forces previously assumed command of CTF-150 from the British Royal Navy in 2018, the French Navy in 2020, and the Pakistan Navy in 2022. وتتولى قوة الواجب المختلطة «CTF-150» مهمة تعزيز الأمن البحري في مناطق عملياتها الممتدة من خليج عمان وبحر العرب وخليج عدن إلى المحيط الهندي، عبر مكافحة الإرهاب والأنشطة غير المشروعة، وحماية خطوط الملاحة وضمان تدفق التجارة العالمية بأمن وسلامة.#فيديو_الدفاع — وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) August 19, 2025 Established in 2002, the CTF-150 is one of five operational task forces under CMF. Its areas of operation include the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean. The CTF-150 is charged with boosting maritime security by combating terrorism and illicit activities such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and arms smuggling, as well as protecting shipping lanes and ensuring the safe flow of global trade. Short link : Post Views: 15
