ROME — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan called for the immediate end of settler violence against the Palestinian people, saying attacks carried out under the protection or with the support of Israeli security forces must be halted and those responsible held accountable.
Speaking at a high-level interfaith dialogue meeting in Rome on Wednesday, Prince Faisal said dialogue among followers of different faiths has become a strategic necessity and a fundamental pillar for achieving a just and lasting peace.
The meeting, held as part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Plan, was chaired by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and attended by Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, members of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and international partners.
Prince Faisal said the Abrahamic religions are founded on the principles of human dignity, justice and peaceful coexistence, stressing that lasting security cannot be achieved while people are denied their legitimate rights.
He underscored Jerusalem’s unique significance to Muslims, Christians and Jews, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s rejection of any attempts to alter the city’s historical and legal status or that of its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The foreign minister also warned against repeated provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, attacks on holy sites and other measures that fuel religious tensions and undermine prospects for peace.
He said continued illegal settlement expansion violates the Palestinian people’s rights to life, security, dignity and self-determination, while eroding the foundations of peace and regional stability.
Prince Faisal welcomed measures adopted by several international partners, including bans on imports from Israeli settlements, sanctions against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations against Palestinians and travel restrictions on settlers involved in violence.
He called for additional measures to strengthen accountability and ensure such violations do not go unpunished.
Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to working with the United States, the State of Palestine and international partners to implement President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Peace Plan, U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803 and the New York Declaration, including launching an interfaith dialogue based on the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Source: Saudi Gazette