Saudi Arabia affirms: Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its firm and unequivocal stance of not recognizing any Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing that these lands are the inherent right of the Palestinian people in accordance with international resolutions and UN charters. This position reflects the Kingdom's steadfast policy towards the Palestinian cause, which it considers its primary and central issue in its foreign policy.
Adherence to the 1967 borders and the Arab Peace Initiative
The Kingdom has clarified its diplomatic stance, stating that any attempts to alter the legal or historical status of the territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, are null and void and have no legal effect. Saudi Arabia bases this position on international peace frameworks, foremost among them the Arab Peace Initiative, which the Kingdom proposed and which was adopted by the Arab Summit in Beirut in 2002. This initiative clearly stipulates that a comprehensive and just peace is a strategic option, but it is contingent upon Israel's complete withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem, and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Violations of international law and UN resolutions
In a related context, the Saudi position indicates that Israeli practices of settlement expansion, land confiscation, and attempts to annex parts of the West Bank constitute a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its own population into the territory it occupies or altering its demographic character. The Kingdom calls upon the entire international community, and the UN Security Council in particular, to uphold its responsibilities in compelling Israel to respect international resolutions and cease all unilateral actions that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.
The importance of the Saudi position and its regional impact
This Saudi affirmation is of paramount importance given the escalating tensions in the region, as it sends a clear message that normalization or regional peace cannot be achieved without a just solution to the Palestinian issue that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people. Political analysts emphasize that the steadfastness of the Saudi position constitutes a cornerstone of the overall Arab and Islamic stance, preventing the liquidation or marginalization of the Palestinian cause in international forums. Riyadh's insistence on non-Israeli sovereignty strengthens Palestinian resilience politically and diplomatically, and puts an end to speculations that attempt to circumvent legitimate Palestinian rights.
In conclusion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains committed to its vision of peace based on justice and international legitimacy, stressing that security and stability in the Middle East region will not be achieved except by ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state.
