IRIA News

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Arab and Muslim leaders gathered in Saudi Arabia on November 11, 2024, for a high-profile summit addressing escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Saudi officials announced the summit on short notice in late October, describing it as part of a newly formed international alliance advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Key figures in attendance included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Ahead of the summit, Sharif stated his intention to call for “an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza” and an “immediate cessation of ongoing Israeli adventurism in the region.”

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati were also among the dignitaries who arrived in Riyadh for the discussions.

The summit in Riyadh focused on discussing “continued Israeli aggression on Palestinian territories and in Lebanon,” according to the Saudia Press Agency. The gathering follows a similar event last year hosted by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, during which leaders condemned the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as “barbaric.”

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) opened the summit with a direct appeal to Israel, urging an end to military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. He condemned what he described as “massacres committed against Palestinian and Lebanese people” and called on global leaders to recognize Palestinian statehood as a step toward long-term peace.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, echoed MBS’s sentiments, asserting that “words cannot express the plight of the Palestinian people” and describing Israeli actions as undermining peace efforts. He emphasized that achieving peace requires justice and called on the international community not to ignore the ongoing violence.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that leaders are prioritizing a unified position and international action to halt the violence, protect civilians, and support the Palestinian and Lebanese populations. The summit is expected to heighten pressure on the global stage for decisive actions toward peace and regional stability.

Turkey calls for sanctions on Israel

Turkish President Erdogan called on Muslim nations to lead sanctions against Israel as the Middle Eastern conflict intensifies.

“It is extremely important to impose an arms embargo on Israel and end trade.” Emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Gaza, Erdogan described Israel’s actions as “genocide.”

“While a handful of Western countries provide all kinds of support, the inadequacy of Muslim countries in reacting has unfortunately led to the situation on the field reaching this point,” he said. “We cannot allow the differences of opinion and attitude among us to become an obstacle to our common cause.”

Joining Erdogan were his chief foreign policy advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head İbrahim Kalin.

Iran’s involvement in the summit

Ahead of the summit, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephonic conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince as he cited executive responsibilities for his absence but confirmed that Iran’s First Vice President would attend on his behalf.

Iran and Saudi Arabia’s joint involvement in the summit underscores the significance of this gathering, as past events have seen a divide among attendees on measures like severing economic and diplomatic ties with Israel or disrupting oil supplies.

Israel’s conflict with Hamas intensified after an October 2023 attack by the group, which resulted in over 1,100 casualties. Since then, reports indicate that Israeli strikes have claimed more than 43,600 Palestinian lives in Gaza, largely among civilians, with Lebanese casualties due to strikes against Hezbollah totaling over 3,100.

Iraq-Saudi military cooperation agreement

Separately, at the sidelines of the summit, the defense ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iraq signed a military cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing regional security amid rising tensions. The pact includes “joint training exercises between the Iraqi and Saudi forces and provisions to send injured Iraqi soldiers for treatment in Saudi Arabia.”

Iraq’s Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed Al-Abbasi described the pact as “Iraq’s efforts to enhance regional cooperation with neighboring countries.” Saudi Arabia’s state news agency reported that both sides discussed “regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions.”

HRH the Crown Prince met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq. 🇸🇦🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/BngUdijGdI

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) November 11, 2024

Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030 goals, continues to strengthen its defense alliances and modernize its military, aiming to localize 50% of defense spending. Meanwhile, regional instability grows, with recent escalations highlighting Iraq’s delicate position between Tehran and Washington. Last month, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid warned that “Iraq will not tolerate any attempts to use its territory as a base for aggression against neighboring nations.”