The foreign ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Türkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Indonesia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have welcomed the United Kingdom government’s decision to ban the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to introduce restrictions on services linked to those settlements. The joint statement, issued in Riyadh and carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), expressed the ministers’ hope that the decision will help mobilise the international community toward similar actions in line with international law, and toward holding accountable settlement organisations and individuals engaged in illegal settlement activities.
Context and Background
The statement reflects sustained diplomatic coordination among Arab and Islamic states on the Palestinian question, an issue that has remained central to the Kingdom’s foreign policy priorities. The United Kingdom’s decision places it among a growing group of governments prepared to use trade and services measures in response to settlement activity, and the ministers framed the move as consistent with established legal obligations rather than as a unilateral political gesture.
The ministers also welcomed the Joint Statement on the Two-State Solution issued by the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Those governments confirmed their intention to introduce national restrictions, or to support European restrictions, on trade in goods with settlements that are illegal under international law, or to actively consider these and other measures in accordance with their respective national procedures.
Key Details
The ministers said the announced intentions are in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024. They noted the obligation of all states not to recognise as legal the situation arising from Israel’s unlawful occupation, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by that occupation.
Accordingly, the ministers reiterated their call for Israel to rescind all measures taken in connection with settlement activities and other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They encouraged the international community to build on the recent steps and adopt concrete measures to bring an end to activities that support or sustain illegal settlements.
The ministers underscored that Gaza is an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They called for the full and immediate implementation of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, in order to ensure security and stability, address the humanitarian situation, facilitate reconstruction and recovery, and lay the foundations for lasting peace.
International Implications
The joint statement carries weight because it unites eight foreign ministries spanning the Gulf, North Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia. A single, coordinated position from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates signals that trade-related measures against settlements are being treated as a shared international legal question, not a narrow regional dispute.
The ministers made clear that the only viable path to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace is implementation of the two-State solution, through the realisation of an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable Palestinian State based on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions.
By welcoming the European joint statement, the ministers are encouraging governments in Europe and beyond to translate declared intentions into practical measures. That approach keeps the emphasis on accountability for settlement organisations and individuals, on humanitarian relief and reconstruction in Gaza, and on preventing further deterioration of conditions on the ground.
Vision 2030 Alignment
Saudi Arabia’s participation in this coordinated statement reflects the diplomatic stature the Kingdom has built as part of Vision 2030, which positions the country as a global convenor, a stabilising force in the region and a reliable partner in rules-based international engagement. Riyadh’s ability to align Arab and Islamic capitals behind a common position complements its economic modernisation agenda, since durable regional stability underpins investment, tourism growth, trade corridors and the mega-projects that anchor the Kingdom’s long-term diversification.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is expected to continue supporting diplomatic pathways that end the Gaza conflict, advance humanitarian recovery and revive a credible political process leading to a Palestinian State. In doing so, the Kingdom reinforces its wider vision of a prosperous, secure and interconnected region, and its standing as a constructive actor on the international stage.
20 Questions
Q1. Which countries’ foreign ministers issued the joint statement?
A1. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates issued the statement, which was carried by the Saudi Press Agency. Together they represent a broad coalition of Arab and Islamic states coordinating positions on the Palestinian question.
Q2. What exactly did the United Kingdom government decide?
A2. The United Kingdom announced a ban on the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, alongside restrictions on services connected to such settlements. The ministers said the decision aligns with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Q3. Why did the ministers welcome this decision?
A3. They view it as a practical step that upholds international law and could mobilise other governments to follow suit. The ministers also hope it will lead to accountability for settlement organisations and individuals engaged in illegal settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Q4. Which countries issued the Joint Statement on the Two-State Solution?
A4. Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued the joint statement. These governments confirmed their intention to introduce national restrictions, or to support European measures, on trade in goods with settlements illegal under international law.
Q5. What did those governments commit to considering?
A5. The signatories confirmed their intention to introduce national restrictions on trade in goods with settlements that are illegal under international law, or to support European measures, while others agreed to actively consider such steps in line with their respective national procedures.
Q6. Which United Nations resolution did the ministers cite?
A6. The ministers cited United Nations Security Council resolution 2334, adopted in 2016, which addressed Israeli settlement activity. They said the announced intentions are consistent with that resolution and with the wider body of relevant United Nations decisions concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Q7. What is the significance of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024?
A7. The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on 19 July 2024 addressing the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation. The ministers noted the obligation on all states not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful occupation, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining it.
Q8. What do the ministers call on Israel to do?
A8. They reiterated their call for Israel to rescind all measures taken in connection with settlement activities, as well as other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The ministers frame this demand within international law and United Nations resolutions.
Q9. How do the ministers describe Gaza’s status?
A9. The ministers underscore that Gaza is an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They therefore oppose any separation of the territory from a future Palestinian state and stress that humanitarian, reconstruction and governance dimensions must be addressed within that unified framework.
Q10. What plan did the ministers call to implement regarding Gaza?
A10. They called for the full and immediate implementation of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The ministers said the plan should ensure security and stability, address the humanitarian situation, facilitate reconstruction and recovery, and lay foundations for lasting peace.
Q11. How is the two-State solution described by the ministers?
A11. The ministers describe it as the realisation of an independent, sovereign, contiguous and viable Palestinian State based on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. They call it the only viable path to comprehensive peace.
Q12. Why does Saudi Arabia consider this a diplomatic priority?
A12. Saudi Arabia has consistently supported a two-State solution and a just resolution of the Palestinian question. Its participation in this joint statement reflects its continuing role in coordinating Arab and Islamic positions and in encouraging peaceful, rules-based diplomacy on the regional stage.
Q13. How does the statement reflect coordination among Arab and Islamic states?
A13. Eight foreign ministries issued a single, unified statement, which indicates sustained coordination across Arab and Islamic capitals. Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia represent diverse regions yet share a common position on settlements and the two-State solution.
Q14. What does the statement say about accountability?
A14. The ministers express hope that the UK decision will help mobilise the international community to take similar actions and to hold accountable settlement organisations and individuals engaged in illegal settlement activities. Accountability is presented as a legal and diplomatic objective rather than a punitive measure.
Q15. What do the ministers hope other countries will do?
A15. They encourage the international community to build on the UK decision and the European joint statement, adopting concrete measures to bring an end to activities that support or sustain illegal settlements. The ministers want a cumulative international response grounded in international law.
Q16. What role did the Saudi Press Agency play in this announcement?
A16. The Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom’s official news agency, carried the joint statement, giving it an authoritative channel of dissemination. Its reporting underscores the transparency of the ministers’ position and provides verified text for international media and policymakers.
Q17. How does this development relate to regional stability?
A17. The ministers link settlement activity and the Gaza conflict to broader regional stability, arguing that a just and lasting peace requires implementation of the two-State solution. A coordinated diplomatic approach, they suggest, reduces escalation risks and supports humanitarian recovery and reconstruction.
Q18. What is the relationship between settlements and international law?
A18. Under international law, settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are considered illegal, a view reflected in United Nations resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The UK decision restricts trade and services connected to those settlements.
Q19. What might happen next in diplomatic terms?
A19. The ministers anticipate further national measures by European and other states, along with continued coordination among Arab and Islamic capitals. Progress toward ending the Gaza conflict and reviving a credible political process remains central to their diplomatic agenda.
Q20. How does this align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?
A20. Vision 2030 aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global diplomatic and economic leader. Saudi Arabia’s role in this joint statement showcases its convening power, its commitment to international law, and its contribution to regional peace and stability.
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