Saudi Arabia is taking a significant diplomatic step by hosting a series of high-profile summits in Riyadh with a focus on mitigating tensions in the Middle East, specifically the escalating situation in Gaza. The Kingdom’s proactive approach comes as the region grapples with the ongoing conflict, which has seen a relentless Israeli offensive threatening the very existence of Gaza. Khaled al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, underscored the urgency of these gatherings while speaking in Singapore, highlighting that the Kingdom will facilitate three distinct summits involving Arab states, Arab-African nations, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)123.
These summits are Saudi Arabia’s assertion of its diplomatic role and commitment to spearhead a peaceful resolution to the crises plaguing the Middle East. A subsequent statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry detailed the postponement of the Arab-African summit due to the volatile political climate and its potential impact on the crucial Arab-African partnership, which is grounded in developmental and economic cooperation4.
Al-Falih mentioned that discussions about normalizing relations with Israel are on the table, but emphasized that any progress is contingent upon a viable pathway to peacefully resolving the Palestinian issue. This stance aligns with the setback last month, revealing Saudi Arabia’s steadfast position that resolving the Palestinian conflict is essential to broader Middle Eastern normalization efforts.
The ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, now in their second month, have been met with international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, which Israel has largely ignored. These actions have drawn sharp criticism, including from the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who accused the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of emotional turmoil and strategic misjudgments regarding Gaza.
In light of these developments, the upcoming Riyadh summits, set for the end of the following week, present a critical opportunity for regional leaders, including Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, to engage in dialogue. These meetings hold particular significance as they mark one of the first high-level engagements between Iran and Saudi Arabia following the restoration of diplomatic ties earlier this year.
The United States, having a vested interest in the region, has articulated its opposition to Israel’s potential long-term occupation of Gaza post-conflict, advocating instead for a transitional period essential for Palestinian self-governance. This view is echoed by statements from the National Security Council’s John Kirby, affirming President Joe Biden’s stance against the reoccupation of Gaza by Israel.
With the world’s eyes on Riyadh, the summits promise to be more than a diplomatic formality. They offer a beacon of hope for de-escalation and a roadmap towards a lasting peace that could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics and affirm Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in it.
