Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, alongside his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Sameh Shoukry and Ayman Safadi, called today for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip. During a joint press conference on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting in New York, Prince Faisal also urged a return to a "genuine" peace process. He added, "A ceasefire in Gaza is an urgent humanitarian necessity." He continued, "The policy of double standards will have unfortunate consequences that extend beyond the current crisis." He viewed the Security Council as unable to make a decision addressing the crisis in Gaza and bearing responsibility for the delay in resolving the Palestinian issue.
Prince Faisal stated that "we work for a better future for the region, ensuring a better situation for its upcoming generations; ignoring the causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will not achieve just peace." The Egyptian foreign minister emphasized that "the ceasefire must be immediate and sustainable in Gaza to prevent the expansion of the conflict in the region." He added, "The Security Council resolution that will be put to vote regarding the war in Gaza will be inadequate if it lacks balance." He expressed hope that "the Security Council issues a resolution aimed at stopping the fighting in Gaza, rather than providing justification for the continuation of the conflict."
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi mentioned that the coming days would witness further joint Arab movements in response to the war on the Gaza Strip and threats to regional security. Safadi warned that "support for Israel's war creates a dangerous impression in our region and among our peoples that this war is between the West on the one hand and Arabs and Muslims on the other." He considered this impression "dangerous and catastrophic for all." He added, "Israel appears to be above international law" and urged an end to what he described as double standards in dealing with the conflict in Gaza. In comments following the UN Security Council meeting, which did not call for a cessation of hostilities, Safadi stated that the international community has an obligation to end the Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza.
