Saudi Arabia and 7 other Islamic countries condemn Israeli rejection of Road Map for Gaza peace

Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Türkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, have strongly condemned Israel's refusal to adhere to the Road Map for resolving the Gaza conflict. This rejection of the UN-endorsed Comprehensive Plan threatens to undermine the collective efforts towards achieving a peaceful resolution.

The ministers emphasized that Israel's rejection amounts to a direct repudiation of the Comprehensive Plan and jeopardizes its implementation. The Road Map, accepted by Palestinian factions, is a crucial step towards decommissioning weapons, withdrawing Israeli forces, deploying an International Stabilization Force, and transferring administrative authority to the National Committee for Gaza.

Rejecting the Road Map explicitly denies the progress made in the Comprehensive Plan, and risks derailing the efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region. The ministers stressed the importance of sustained US engagement to ensure Israel's full compliance with the commitments set forth in the Comprehensive Plan. Israel bears full responsibility for any negative consequences resulting from its continued rejection, obstruction, delay, or non-compliance, which could deteriorate the humanitarian situation and disrupt the peace process.

The ministers reaffirmed the urgent need for the full and immediate implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to address the humanitarian crisis, ensure security and stability in Gaza, and pave the way for reconstruction and recovery. They firmly rejected any attempt to deny Palestinian statehood, emphasizing that only a two-state solution, with an independent and sovereign Palestine based on the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, can lead to a just and lasting peace.