Saudi-Led Ministerial Committee Meets Spanish FM on Gaza

A high-level Ministerial Committee appointed by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held talks with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez in Madrid on May 29, 2024. The delegation, led by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advancing the two-state solution. The meeting underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable aid delivery to the Gaza Strip.

Context and Background

The Ministerial Committee was established following the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in Riyadh in November 2023, convened by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Its mission is to galvanize international support for ending the conflict in Gaza and promoting a peaceful resolution based on the Arab Peace Initiative. The committee includes top diplomats from Qatar, Palestine, Jordan, Turkiye, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Spain’s recognition of the Palestinian state in May 2024, alongside Ireland and Norway, marked a significant shift in European diplomacy. The committee’s visit to Madrid aimed to build on this momentum and encourage other European nations to follow suit.

Key Details

The delegation comprised Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Palestine’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammed Mustafa; Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi; Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; and OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha.

The meeting commended Spain’s recognition of the Palestinian state and its advocacy for the Palestinian people’s right to live in dignity within an independent, sovereign state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Discussions also assessed efforts to promote broader international recognition of Palestine and implement the two-state solution. The members underscored the urgency for the global community to acknowledge the Palestinian state and work toward a just and comprehensive peace, while emphasizing the need to halt all unilateral and illegitimate Israeli actions in the West Bank and uphold international law.

Implications and Impact

The committee’s engagement with Spain signals a growing international consensus on the need for a two-state solution. Spain’s recognition of Palestine, following similar moves by other European nations, reflects shifting dynamics in the Middle East peace process. This diplomatic push aims to galvanize broader global support for Palestinian statehood and regional stability.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of holding the Israeli occupation accountable for its actions against civilians, reinforcing the committee’s commitment to international humanitarian principles. The delegation’s efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s broader diplomatic strategy to foster peace and security in the region.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Ministerial Committee underscores its commitment to regional peace and stability, key pillars of Vision 2030. By facilitating dialogue and promoting the two-state solution, the Kingdom reinforces its role as a responsible global actor and a bridge-builder in the international community.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit?

A1. The Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit was a meeting held in Riyadh in November 2023 to address the Gaza crisis and coordinate a unified response among Arab and Islamic nations.

Q2. Who leads the Ministerial Committee?

A2. The committee is led by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Q3. Which countries are represented in the committee?

A3. The committee includes representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Palestine, Jordan, Turkiye, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Q4. What was the purpose of the meeting in Madrid?

A4. The meeting aimed to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, push for an immediate ceasefire, and promote the two-state solution.

Q5. Why did the committee meet with Spain’s Foreign Minister?

A5. Spain recently recognized the Palestinian state, and the committee sought to build on this momentum and encourage other European nations to follow suit.

Q6. What did the committee commend Spain for?

A6. The committee commended Spain for recognizing the Palestinian state and advocating for the Palestinian people’s right to live in dignity within an independent, sovereign state.

Q7. What borders does the committee support for a Palestinian state?

A7. The committee supports a Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Q8. What is the two-state solution?

A8. The two-state solution envisions an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel, based on pre-1967 borders.

Q9. What did the committee say about Israeli actions in the West Bank?

A9. The committee emphasized the importance of halting all unilateral and illegitimate Israeli actions in the West Bank and upholding international law.

Q10. What is the Arab Peace Initiative?

A10. The Arab Peace Initiative is a 2002 proposal by Saudi Arabia that offers normalized relations with Israel in exchange for a full withdrawal from occupied territories and a Palestinian state.

Q11. How does this meeting align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A11. It reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional peace and stability, key pillars of Vision 2030, and showcases the Kingdom’s role as a global bridge-builder.

Q12. What is the OIC’s role in the committee?

A12. The OIC, represented by Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha, provides a platform for Islamic countries to coordinate their diplomatic efforts on Palestine.

Q13. Why is Spain’s recognition of Palestine significant?

A13. Spain’s recognition, alongside Ireland and Norway, reflects a shift in European diplomacy and increases pressure for a two-state solution.

Q14. What did the committee urge the international community to do?

A14. The committee urged the international community to acknowledge the Palestinian state and work toward a just and comprehensive peace.

Q15. What is the committee’s stance on humanitarian aid to Gaza?

A15. The committee emphasized the imperative of an immediate ceasefire and the provision of ample and sustainable humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

Q16. Who is Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister?

A16. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani serves as Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Q17. Who is Palestine’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister?

A17. Dr. Mohammed Mustafa is Palestine’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Q18. Who is Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs?

A18. Ayman Safadi is Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Q19. Who is Turkiye’s Foreign Minister?

A19. Hakan Fidan is Turkiye’s Foreign Minister.

Q20. What is the next step for the committee?

A20. The committee will continue its diplomatic efforts to promote recognition of the Palestinian state and implement the two-state solution in line with international initiatives.

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