Saudi Arabia pledges $1 billion to support Palestine: A historic commitment to peace
In a move reflecting its longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a substantial financial contribution of up to one billion dollars aimed at alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people. This announcement was made by His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, during his address to the Peace Council. He emphasized that this support is a continuation of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to assist Palestinians on all fronts.
Historical background of Saudi support
Saudi support for the Palestinian cause is not a recent development; it has been an integral part of the Kingdom's foreign policy since its founding. For decades, Saudi Arabia has provided substantial political, diplomatic, and economic support to the Palestinians, both through direct bilateral channels and via regional and international organizations such as the League of Arab States and the United Nations. The Kingdom is among the largest international donors to the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), based on its belief in the Palestinian people's right to live in dignity and achieve their legitimate aspirations.
The Arab Peace Initiative: The cornerstone of a just solution
In his address, Minister Al-Jubeir noted that the Arab Peace Initiative , launched by the Kingdom at the Beirut Summit in 2002 and unanimously adopted by the Arab states, remains the most comprehensive roadmap for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. He explained that this initiative, which has set a clear path to peace, is based on the principle of “land for peace” and calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the 1967 borders, in exchange for full normalization of relations between the Arab states and Israel. Al-Jubeir affirmed that the Kingdom continues to work diligently to achieve this goal, which guarantees security and stability for all the peoples of the region.
The importance and expected impact of the contribution
This contribution is of paramount importance given the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians. The funds are expected to support vital sectors such as health, education, relief efforts, and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Regionally, this announcement reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role as a force for stability in the region and sends a clear message about the need for concerted international efforts to end the crisis. Internationally, this step places the Palestinian issue back at the forefront of the international community's priorities and urges key players to intensify their diplomatic efforts to reach a just and comprehensive political solution that ends the conflict.
