RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday welcomed a decision by Armenia’s government to recognize the state of Palestine, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It stressed that this “decision is an important step that supports the path of establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Earlier on Friday, Armenia announced that it was recognizing the state of Palestine becoming the latest nation to do so during the war in Gaza, saying it was “genuinely interested in establishing long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Three-quarters of the 193 UN member nations have recognized the state of Palestine, with Spain, Ireland and Norway taking the decision last month, stating that they saw the move as a step toward peace in the region.
The ministry renewed the Kingdom’s call to the international community, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council that have not recognized the state of Palestine, to move forward toward recognition “in a way that supports the two-state solution and strengthens the foundations of international peace and security,” it said.
Palestinians believe that the recognitions confer international legitimacy on their struggle, especially as Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its ninth month, faces growing international criticism over the campaign of systematic destruction in Gaza and a huge cost in civilian lives.
The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council also praised the “supportive step from Armenia” for the Palestinian people to obtain all their rights and maintain regional stability and security, and called on all countries to take similar steps.
Jasem Albudaiwi “reiterated the firm and established position of the GCC in supporting the Palestinian cause, and reaching a solution based on ending the Israeli occupation,” the bloc said in a statement.
The Arab Parliament welcomed Armenia’s decision, stressing that it represents a new victory for the Palestinian cause, diplomacy and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state.
The parliament said that increased international recognition of the State of Palestine represents a practical response to the Israel’s failed plans to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
In a statement, it called on all countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to move forward with recognition as a step toward ending the historical injustice to which the Palestinian people have been exposed for decades of occupation, calling at the same time on the international community to stand by the Palestinian cause.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said the recognition was a positive step toward enabling the Palestinian people to self-determination and establishing their independent state, and also urged countries to take similar decisions to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
(With AFP and AP)
