Saudi Arabia advocates for Palestinian statehood due to its influence in the region and the desire to support a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict.
In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia is spearheading an international initiative to secure recognition for a Palestinian state. This push, which began around a year ago in collaboration with Norway, has gained momentum, with several countries expressing their intent to recognise Palestine.
Last week, France, Canada, Malta, the UK, and Australia announced their consideration of recognising a Palestinian state. This development follows the United Nations General Assembly's December vote, confirming that most countries believe a two-state solution is the answer to the ongoing problems between Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The Saudi-led initiative is a reboot of the 2002 Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative, which was agreed upon by all Arab League member states at an Arab League summit in Beirut. The Arab Peace Initiative includes the recognition and normalization of relations with Israel if Israel ends its occupation and agrees to establish a Palestinian state.
Saudi Arabia's leading role in this initiative reflects its longstanding commitment to Palestinian statehood based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom aims to assert its role as a central Arab leader by championing Palestinian rights, especially amid contemporary regional dynamics and tensions surrounding Israel.
The New York Declaration, signed by all member states of the Arab League, the EU, and around 17 other countries, outlines a phased path toward a two-state solution. The declaration also condemns attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure.
However, the Saudi-French initiative faces considerable opposition from Israel and its ally, the US. Despite this, the push for more countries to recognise Palestinian statehood is driven by the urgency of the situation in Gaza and the worsening violence in the West Bank.
Saudi Arabia's advocacy for Palestinian statehood offers potential benefits, such as strengthening the international legal and diplomatic status of Palestine, contributing to regional stability, and increasing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key mediator and influential regional actor in Middle East peace discussions.
However, the move is not without criticism. Some view Saudi moves as tied to political calculations, such as leveraging Palestinian support to pressure Israel and validate their cautious normalization process. There is also skepticism about whether Saudi Arabia's support will translate into effective actions on the ground to improve Palestinian governance or economic conditions, especially in Gaza.
In summary, Saudi Arabia champions international recognition of Palestine to uphold its historical commitment to Palestinian rights, sustain regional leadership, and influence peace negotiations. While this role offers diplomatic and regional stabilization benefits, it also faces critical scrutiny regarding its motivations and practical impact.
- The ongoing push for international recognition of a Palestinian state, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and Norway, has gained support from France, Canada, Malta, the UK, Australia, and several other countries.
- The Saudi-led initiative resembles the 2002 Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative, which was agreed upon by all Arab League member states, and includes the recognition and normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for an end to its occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- The United Nations General Assembly's December vote affirmed that most countries believe a two-state solution is the answer to the ongoing problems between Israel and the Palestinian territories.
- The New York Declaration, signed by various countries, outlines a phased path toward a two-state solution and condemns attacks by Israel against civilians in Gaza and civilian infrastructure.
- The Saudi-French initiative has faced opposition from Israel and its ally, the US, but the push for more countries to recognize Palestinian statehood remains driven by the urgency of the situation in Gaza and the worsening violence in the West Bank.
- Saudi Arabia's advocacy for Palestinian statehood offers potential benefits, such as strengthening the international legal and diplomatic status of Palestine, contributing to regional stability, and increasing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key mediator and influential regional actor in Middle East peace discussions.
- However, Saudi Arabia's role in championing Palestinian statehood has been met with criticism, with some accusing it of political calculations and questioning whether its support will translate into effective actions to improve Palestinian governance or economic conditions, particularly in Gaza.
