An Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit convened in Riyadh on Monday, bringing together over 50 heads of state and government to address the escalating Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. Hosted by Saudi Arabia, the summit aimed to strengthen regional solidarity, demand immediate ceasefire, and renew the call for Palestinian statehood, while emphasizing Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Strong Remarks
In his opening statement, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman firmly rejected Israel’s military operations and its treatment of Palestinian and Lebanese territories. The crown prince condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling it “genocide,” and criticized the severe obstruction of humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories.
“The Kingdom condemns the obstruction of the relief efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Palestinian territories, as well as the obstruction of the work of humanitarian organizations providing aid to the Palestinian people,” Prince Mohammed said.
This condemnation followed Israel’s formal decision to sever ties with UNRWA after Israeli lawmakers backed the move last week.
Rejection of Israeli Aggression in Gaza and Lebanon
Prince Mohammed also condemned Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, calling them a direct threat to Lebanese sovereignty and security. He firmly stated,
“We condemn the Israeli military operations that targeted Lebanese territories and we reject anything that threatens Lebanon’s stability and safety as well as anything that violates its territorial integrity.”
The summit highlighted Israel’s continued military aggression, not only against Palestine but also its violations in Lebanon, which have fueled further instability in the region. The Saudi crown prince urged the international community to act decisively in halting these attacks.
“We stand with our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” he affirmed.
Saudi Support for Palestinian Statehood
The crown prince reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, calling for full international recognition of Palestine. He emphasized that Palestine qualifies for full membership in the United Nations and stressed that its statehood must be recognized in accordance with international law.
“We launched a global initiative to support the two-state solution,” Prince Mohammed said, referring to Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to garner support for Palestinian self-determination. Saudi Arabia has worked to rally other peace-loving countries to recognize Palestine as a state through the United Nations General Assembly.
“We believe Palestine is eligible for full UN membership,” the crown prince added.
Condemnation of Israel’s Violation of Palestinian Authority
The Saudi leader also took a strong stance against Israel’s actions that undermine the role of the Palestinian Authority. He criticized Israel for consistently obstructing the Palestinian Authority’s work, particularly in areas where its governance is essential for Palestinian stability.
“Israel’s continued criminal actions against innocent people, its violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its undermining of the Palestinian Authority’s pivotal role in all Palestinian territories will hinder efforts to secure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” Prince Mohammed said.
Call for International Action on Iran’s Sovereignty
In addition to condemning Israeli actions against Palestine and Lebanon, the crown prince called for international pressure on Israel to cease its hostile actions against Iran. Saudi Arabia urged Israel to respect Iranian sovereignty, stressing that further aggression would only escalate tensions in the region.
“We stand with our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon, and we also call for Israel to respect the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Prince Mohammed said.
Global Leaders Join the Riyadh Summit
The summit in Riyadh was attended by an array of high-profile leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world. Among the attendees were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Syrian President Bashar Assad, and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. Other notable leaders included King Abdullah II of Jordan, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also attended the summit, having arrived on Sunday, as did Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and leaders from Algeria, Guinea, Senegal, Niger, Chad, and Uzbekistan.
Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Push for Palestinian Statehood
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to advocate for a two-state solution and bring greater recognition to Palestine on the world stage. He underscored that through these efforts, Saudi Arabia has managed to garner significant support for Palestinian statehood.
“The Kingdom has succeeded in calling on more peace-loving countries to recognize Palestine as a state,” he said.
The summit also provided a platform for further discussions on securing humanitarian aid for Gaza, with leaders agreeing that immediate action must be taken to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Absence of Iranian President Raises Questions
Although several key Middle Eastern leaders attended the summit, one notable absence was Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose absence has sparked discussions among observers. Iran, a key player in the Middle East, maintains a delicate relationship with Saudi Arabia, especially in light of regional tensions. The reasons for Raisi’s non-participation remain unclear.
A Unified Call for Ceasefire and Regional Stability
The summit in Riyadh concluded with a strong, unified call for an immediate ceasefire to halt Israeli military actions and prevent further escalation in Gaza and Lebanon. Leaders emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid and the necessity of ensuring that international organizations can carry out their missions without obstruction.
Through this summit, Saudi Arabia and its allies sent a powerful message to the international community: the pursuit of peace, regional stability, and the recognition of Palestinian rights must be prioritized to ensure a just and lasting solution to the Middle East conflict.
Related stories:
Saudi Arabia will not recognize Israel without Palestinian state, crown prince tells Shoura Council
UAE and Kuwait leaders Meet to Address Gaza and Lebanon Crisis
Arab League Summit Calls for UN Peacekeepers Deployment Amid Escalating Israel-Palestine Conflict
