Foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have described Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as a major cause of instability in the region, calling for the implementation of a two-state solution.
The ministers met in Istanbul on Friday, 23 October, where they reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
In a joint statement, they called for a Palestinian state based on the borders that existed before the June 1967 war, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions. They also urged an end to Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and called for the protection of Jerusalem’s historical and legal status.
The ministers further stressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza and the reconstruction of the territory, which has suffered extensive destruction during the conflict.
The meeting took place amid wider diplomatic efforts to address tensions across the Middle East. Regional security, developments in Yemen and disruptions to energy supplies were also among the issues discussed by officials attending meetings in Istanbul.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional conflicts, calling for greater responsibility among regional countries in maintaining peace and stability.
The talks come amid continuing international concern over the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and the risk of further escalation across the Middle East.
