Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani,
COLOMBO : THE Palestinian issue has been a fundamental pillar of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy since its establishment. The Kingdom has spared no effort in supporting the Palestinian people politically, materially, and humanitarianly, stemming from its religious, Arab, and humanitarian commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among which is the establishment of their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Over more than seven decades, the Kingdom has adopted clear positions regarding the Palestinian issue, emphasizing in all international forums the necessity of ending the Israeli occupation and rejecting settlement policies. It was also the architect of the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, which remains a fundamental reference for any just and comprehensive settlement in the region.
In recent years, the Kingdom has intensified its diplomatic efforts to support Palestinian rights, whether through the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Security Council, or through direct communication with international leaders to strengthen Palestine’s position and reject Israeli violations against civilians.
The Kingdom has embodied its political support by hosting summits and conferences aimed at supporting the Palestinian cause and confronting Israeli aggression. Most notably, the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2024, which came in response to the serious escalation in the Gaza Strip, with the participation of leaders from Arab and Islamic states.
In his address to the summit, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, emphasized that:
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia categorically rejects targeting civilians and renews its demand for stopping the war on Gaza, protecting civilians, lifting the siege, and allowing immediate entry of humanitarian aid.”
His Highness affirmed that:
“The Palestinian cause will remain our primary central cause, and peace in the region will not be achieved except through ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
His Highness played a leading role in managing the Saudi position towards the crisis through intensive international movements and communications to mobilize political and humanitarian support and push toward responsible international action.
Within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s policy supporting the legitimate rights of Palestinians, the Kingdom continues its efforts to mobilize international support for recognizing the State of Palestine. Perhaps French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements last week regarding his country’s intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine confirm that this step represents an important diplomatic development that enhances opportunities for achieving peace and affirms the justice of Palestinian demands in the face of occupation.
In terms of aid, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided, through decades of continuous commitment, more than $5.45 billion USD in aid to Palestine, including support for vital sectors such as health, education, housing, and infrastructure, alongside direct financial assistance and humanitarian contributions during times of crisis.
Since the escalation of events in October 2023 until July 2025, the Kingdom has provided more than $300 million in direct aid to support the Palestinian people, including financial grants to support the Palestinian government’s budget, emergency relief aid, and shipments of food, medical, and shelter supplies, in addition to sending cargo planes loaded with aid to the Gaza Strip.
These efforts reflect the scale of official and popular Saudi solidarity with the Palestinian people and the continuity of support under the harshest humanitarian and living conditions, particularly under the ongoing siege and aggression.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, leadership and people, continues its steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause—politically, humanitarianly, and diplomatically. Through its firm positions, generous aid, influential diplomatic initiatives, and comprehensive conferences, the Kingdom affirms that regional stability requires achieving complete justice for Palestinians, ending the occupation, and establishing an independent Palestinian state on its national territory.
the writer is the : Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sri Lanka
