The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its firm and unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing in its latest diplomatic moves the necessity of ensuring "institutional and geographical contiguity" between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This Saudi affirmation is intended to preempt any proposals or scenarios aimed at separating the Gaza Strip from the rest of Palestine, or treating it as a separate entity, either security-wise or politically, after the cessation of current military operations.
The Saudi position, in its historical context,
stems from the constants of Saudi foreign policy, which considers the Palestinian cause its primary and central issue. The Kingdom bases its vision on the Arab Peace Initiative, launched in 2002, which calls for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Riyadh believes that any solution that does not guarantee the unity of the Palestinian territories (Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem) is incomplete and will not achieve lasting peace. Saudi officials, most notably Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, have consistently emphasized that discussions about the future of Gaza cannot be separated from a comprehensive political solution to the Palestinian issue.
The importance of institutional and geographical connection
: The term "institutional connection" carries profound political implications, signifying the necessity for the Palestinian Authority to be the sole legitimate body governing Palestinian affairs in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, thereby strengthening the legitimacy of the institutions of a unified Palestinian state. "Geographical connection," on the other hand, refers to the essential physical contiguity between the two parts of the Palestinian homeland, a fundamental prerequisite for the establishment of a viable state, both economically and socially. The Kingdom recognizes that separating these two tracks threatens to liquidate the Palestinian cause and reduce it to mere isolated humanitarian and security issues.
The regional and international impact
of this Saudi emphasis comes at a highly sensitive time, as the Kingdom leads an intensive diplomatic effort through the ministerial committee emanating from the joint Arab-Islamic summit. This effort aims to garner international recognition of the State of Palestine and to pressure influential powers, such as the United States and the European Union, to adopt an irreversible political path. Saudi Arabia's insistence on the unity of Palestinian territory places the international community before its responsibilities to reject plans for forced displacement or the reoccupation of Gaza, and affirms that security and stability in the region will only be achieved through a just and comprehensive two-state solution.
