DAVOS: Ensuring security in the Middle East region hinges solely on the establishment of a Palestinian state, emphasized the Saudi ambassador to the US during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday (January 18, 2024).
Princess Reema bint Bandar, speaking in a Saudi-focused session, acknowledged Israel’s legitimate need for security, especially in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants. However, she asserted that this security should not come “at the expense” of the safety of the Palestinian people, highlighting the urgency for an immediate ceasefire.
Addressing the toll of the conflict, Princess Reema asked, “How many more children need to die? How many more limbs need to be lost? How many more parents need to lose their livelihoods?” She emphasized the Kingdom’s condemnation of violence on both sides.
While emphasizing the Middle East’s united call for peace in Gaza, Princess Reema recognized the volatile period in the region, acknowledging the daily hardships faced by the Gazan people. She stressed the importance of “doing the right thing for the future.”
Princess Reema made it clear that discussions about normalizing relations with Israel would be off the table as long as Israeli forces continue to harm Palestinian civilians. She emphasized the Kingdom’s continuous efforts for peace and underscored the responsibility toward guiding the Palestinian people toward statehood.
“The Kingdom’s policy is a finite, irrevocable path that means ‘today’ for the Palestinian people,” she concluded.
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