Riyadh: Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab and Islamic countries have issued a strong condemnation of Israel's declared rejection of the roadmap designed to complete the implementation of the U.S. President's comprehensive plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the foreign ministers representing Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have collectively criticized Israel's stance, which also includes rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. This condemnation comes in light of Israel's refusal to adhere to the roadmap, which has been endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and is considered a critical step towards achieving a just and lasting peace.
The joint statement issued by these nations emphasized that Israel's refusal not only threatens the implementation of the comprehensive plan but also undermines collective efforts aimed at securing peace. By rejecting the roadmap, Israel is seen as bearing responsibility for obstructing peace efforts in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories.
The roadmap, which has been accepted by Palestinian factions, represents a significant milestone involving the limitation of weapons, withdrawal of Israeli forces, deployment of an international stabilization force, transfer of administrative authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, and the reconstruction of the region as outlined in the comprehensive plan.
The ministers highlighted the potential consequences of Israel's actions, stressing that it could derail the intensive efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the ongoing conflict. They underscored the necessity of active U.S. involvement to ensure Israel's compliance with the roadmap's commitments and to prevent further obstruction.
Furthermore, the ministers reiterated the urgent need for the roadmap's full implementation to address humanitarian concerns, ensure security and stability, and advance peace based on the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood. They emphasized that a lasting peace can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international law and UN resolutions.
In their statement, the ministers called for continued support of the Peace Council's role and urged all parties to back its efforts to implement the roadmap and advance the second phase of President Trump's comprehensive plan. They also appealed to the Peace Council and the United States to take immediate actions to preserve the integrity of the plan and prevent any obstruction by involved parties.