Ankara: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss preparations for an upcoming peace summit in New York and ongoing efforts to gain international recognition for a Palestinian state. Abbas expressed gratitude to Riyadh for its unwavering support for Palestinian rights and briefed the crown prince on political developments, including the summit scheduled for September 22, which aims to unite world leaders to address the longstanding conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions also highlighted recent diplomatic advancements in the campaign for Palestinian statehood. Several countries, including France, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, have either announced or indicated their willingness to recognize Palestine. Abbas emphasized that these developments enhance the prospects for achieving a comprehensive peace based on UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Both leaders concurred on maintaining close coordination to advance shared priorities and strengthen Arab and international support for the Palestinian cause, as reported by Wafa. Earlier in the day, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared his country's intention to recognize the State of Palestine during the forthcoming UN General Assembly session.
In late July, 15 Western nations, such as France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal, called for the recognition of Palestine and a ceasefire in Gaza. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK would recognize Palestine in September if Israel does not make significant efforts to resolve the crisis, while French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed France's intention to do so during the UN meeting.
Israel is facing increasing criticism for its actions in Gaza, where it has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 61,500 people since October 2023. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.