SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Riyadh will provide $90 million in emergency aid to the Palestinian Authority. The pledge underscores Saudi Arabia’s role as a key regional donor and highlights its ongoing support for Palestinian institutions at a time of deepening humanitarian and political crises. Officials framed the assistance as part of a broader commitment to alleviate suffering and stabilize governance in Palestinian territories.
In his speech, Prince Faisal stressed that normalization with Israel is impossible without a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue. By drawing a clear line between diplomatic recognition and a political settlement, he reiterated Riyadh’s long-standing position that any future relationship with Israel must hinge on meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood. This stance echoes the principles of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which Saudi Arabia originally proposed.
He also emphasized that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace. According to the minister, a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital alongside Israel would provide the framework for security, coexistence, and economic development in the region. The statement comes amid rising international concern about the humanitarian toll of ongoing conflicts and the erosion of prospects for negotiations.
The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s dual strategy of combining humanitarian relief with diplomatic engagement. By simultaneously funding emergency aid and advocating for a political solution, Riyadh is positioning itself as both a benefactor and a mediator. This approach aims to bolster its credibility on the global stage while signaling that its economic and political influence will be used to support a just resolution of one of the Middle East’s longest-running disputes.
