Saudi Arabia Urges Palestinian State Recognition, Abbas Demands Hamas Disarmament

At a UN conference on Monday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan urged countries worldwide to recognize a Palestinian state, following the lead of several Western nations. He called the move a “historic step” that would significantly advance efforts toward achieving the two-state solution and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the same summit via video link, demanded that Hamas and other militant factions in Gaza surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority (PA). “Hamas will have no role in governing Gaza. Hamas and other factions must surrender their weapons to the Palestinian Authority,” Abbas declared.

Abbas, who was unable to attend in person after the United States denied him a visa, also condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left hundreds dead and others taken hostage. He stressed that the killing and detention of civilians by Hamas was unacceptable and undermined Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

The twin appeals—Saudi Arabia’s call for broader international recognition of Palestine and Abbas’s demand for Hamas disarmament—highlight the renewed urgency to push for a peaceful resolution through the two-state framework.