All articles tagged with #arab leaders
President Trump is set to present a detailed plan to Arab and Muslim leaders for ending the Gaza war, including principles for peace, post-war governance, and potential Arab military involvement, amid ongoing conflict and negotiations.
President Trump plans to meet with Arab and Muslim leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss ending the Gaza war, a post-war stabilization plan, and regional security concerns, including Israeli annexation and Gulf countries' security assurances.
Arab leaders initially welcomed Trump's presidency due to his transactional diplomacy and focus on economic deals, particularly with Saudi Arabia. However, his administration's hardline pro-Israel stance and controversial appointments, such as Mike Huckabee and Marco Rubio, have caused discomfort among these allies. Trump's approach, which prioritizes financial gains over human rights, contrasts with Biden's emphasis on human rights, leading to a recalibration of alliances in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, under MBS, has adjusted its policies to balance relations with the U.S. and advocate for Palestinian rights.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an international peace conference and justice over the ongoing Gaza conflict during a meeting with Arab leaders in Beijing. Xi reiterated China's support for an independent Palestinian state and criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. The joint statement from the meeting condemned Israel's aggression and called for a ceasefire, aligning China with the Arab world and the Global South. This stance contrasts with the US, a key supporter of Israel. China also pledged additional humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks in Dubai during her diplomatic talks with Arab leaders, focusing on shaping the outlook for a post-conflict Gaza and calling on Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians from the devastating bombardment. Harris met with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and spoke with Qatar's emir. She emphasized the need for international humanitarian law to be respected and expressed concern over the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza. Harris also discussed the importance of reconstruction, security, and governance in a post-conflict Gaza, highlighting the need for significant resources and the revitalization of the Palestinian Authority.
Arab leaders and analysts warn that President Biden's unwavering support for Israeli leaders during the Gaza war, despite the mounting Palestinian civilian death toll, risks causing lasting damage to the United States' global standing. The perceived acceptance of attacks on refugee camps, hospitals, and apartment buildings by the U.S. could shatter American influence in the region and beyond. The anger over civilian collateral damage is increasingly directed at the United States, not just Israel, and has strained diplomatic relations during Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent travels. The U.S. is urged to put a halt to Israeli attacks on civilians, but Israeli leaders maintain that Hamas operatives are hiding among innocent bystanders. The crisis has given Russia and China an opportunity to portray themselves as defenders of Palestinians, further damaging U.S. influence. The Biden administration faces a difficult balancing act between supporting Israel and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with concerns that prolonged civilian suffering could radicalize young Palestinians and escalate regional tensions.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas joins other Arab leaders in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The death toll in Gaza approaches 10,000, and Arab countries are growing increasingly frustrated with the worsening humanitarian situation. However, Blinken has rebuffed these requests, stating that a ceasefire would give Hamas more breathing room. The US's handling of the crisis is facing criticism, with Arab leaders calling for a full ceasefire and questioning the effectiveness of the American role. Blinken also met with Abbas in Ramallah, discussing efforts to restore calm and stability in the West Bank. After the meeting, Blinken traveled to Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ties with Israel have deteriorated due to his pro-Palestine stance.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with Arab leaders as heavy fighting continues in Gaza, signaling a diplomatic push to de-escalate the conflict. The meetings come as the violence between Israel and Hamas enters its second week, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire. Blinken has expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, but has also called for an end to the violence and a path towards a two-state solution. The US is facing pressure to take a more active role in resolving the crisis, with calls for a UN Security Council meeting and international mediation efforts.
At a peace summit in Cairo, Egypt and Jordan expressed their anger towards Israel over its actions in Gaza, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi rejecting any talk of driving Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula and warning against the "liquidation of the Palestinian cause." Jordan's King Abdullah II called Israel's siege and bombardment of Gaza a "war crime." The speeches reflect growing anger in the region, even among those with close ties to Israel, as the war enters its third week with casualties mounting and no end in sight. Egypt is particularly concerned about a massive influx of Palestinians crossing into its territory, while Israel's vague remarks and orders for evacuation have alarmed its neighbors.
The Cairo Peace Summit, called by Egypt to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ended without a breakthrough as Arab leaders condemned Israeli bombardment of Gaza and called for an end to the violence. However, with Israel and senior U.S. officials absent, no joint statement was agreed upon. While Western countries focused on humanitarian relief for civilians, Arab and Muslim states demanded an immediate end to Israel's offensive. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asserted that Palestinians would not be displaced or driven off their land. France called for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, and Jordan's King Abdullah criticized the global silence on Israel's attacks. The United States only sent its Cairo charge d'affaires, and Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.