International coalition for creation of Palestinian state to meet in Saudi Arabia
An international coalition advocating for a Palestinian state is set to convene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time on Wednesday, Saudi state media report. Its mandate is "to implement the two-state solution", enabling an Israeli and Palestinian state to coexist peacefully.
The two-day meeting will address several pressing issues, including the functioning of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees. This discussion comes in light of recent legislative developments in Israel, where a newly approved law will prohibit UNRWA operations on Israeli territory starting in 2025.
The coalition comprises a diverse group of Arab, Islamic and European countries. According to diplomatic sources, the EU will be represented by Sven Koopmans, the EU's special envoy for the Middle East peace process.
The push for a two-state solution has gained renewed urgency following the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza on 7 October 2023. However, the realisation of this goal appears increasingly challenging, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly expressed his strong opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.
© PHOTO SAID KHATIB / AFP
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