Politics
The Pope condemns the displacement of Gazans and calls for lasting peace
Pope Leo condemns the forced displacement in Gaza and calls for building a future of peace away from violence; statements come after the bombing of the only Catholic church.
Pope Leo condemns forced displacement in Gaza and calls for peace
Amid escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip, Pope Francis condemned the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians on Sunday. During his weekly prayer, he emphasized the importance of building a future free from violence and revenge. "With the pastors of the churches in the Holy Land," the Pope said, "I reiterate that there is no future built on violence, forced displacement, and revenge." These remarks come after Israel bombed the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip last July.
The Church's role in promoting peace
Pope Leo X, the first American pope, has been a prominent advocate for peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that people need peace and that those who truly love them work for it. This message comes amidst escalating Israeli military operations targeting infrastructure and residential areas in Gaza.
The Karameh crossing was closed, and Israeli actions in the West Bank escalated
In a related development, Israeli authorities announced the closure of the Karameh crossing in the eastern occupied West Bank to all incoming and outgoing travelers. This decision comes just hours after the Palestinian Authority announced the reopening of the crossing, reflecting the complexities of the deteriorating security and political situation.
Israeli forces also raided the city of Hebron in the southern West Bank today, conducting searches and arresting a civilian. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the raids targeted several neighborhoods and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Isolating Jerusalem villages and expanding settlements
In another development, Israel announced the isolation of three villages northwest of occupied Jerusalem: Beit Iksa, Nabi Samuel, and the Khalaileh neighborhood. This decision aims to restrict the movement of residents and seize control of the land as part of a plan to expand Israeli settlements east of the holy city.
Simultaneously with these measures, Israeli forces arrested former Arab MP Hanin Zoabi after raiding her home in Nazareth within the 1948 territories, accusing her of inciting terrorism.
Political and regional repercussions
These developments indicate a continued Israeli escalation that is provoking widespread international and regional reactions. While diplomatic efforts continue to de-escalate the situation and achieve a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the situation on the ground remains complex and volatile.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following these events and emphasizes the need to achieve peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy in a way that serves the interests of all parties and guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with relevant international resolutions.
Politics
US-Iranian talks in Geneva under Omani auspices
Switzerland announces that Geneva will host US-Iranian talks next week, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, amid Swiss support for efforts to facilitate dialogue and reduce escalation.
Swiss authorities officially announced on Saturday that Geneva will host a new and crucial round of negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, scheduled for next week. This significant diplomatic step is being hosted and organized by the Sultanate of Oman, which continues its pivotal role in bridging the gap between the two sides, following up on the first round hosted by Muscat earlier this month.
In a statement reflecting Switzerland's longstanding commitment to neutrality, a spokesperson for the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country welcomes and fully supports these talks, emphasizing that Switzerland stands ready at any time to exert every diplomatic and logistical effort to facilitate constructive dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The spokesperson clarified that the talks will be hosted by Oman on Swiss soil, reflecting the high level of coordination among international mediators to ensure a conducive negotiating environment.
The Omani and Swiss roles: Mediation diplomacy
These talks are of particular importance given the parties involved in facilitating them. On the one hand, the Sultanate of Oman plays a historic role as a trusted "post office" and impartial mediator between the West and Iran, where quiet Omani diplomacy has previously succeeded in defusing numerous crises and paving the way for major agreements, including the 2015 nuclear deal. Moving the talks to Geneva, hosted by Oman, underscores Muscat's continued leadership in regional de-escalation efforts.
On the other hand, Switzerland has a long history of representing US interests in Iran since the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1980. Geneva is a global center for multilateral diplomacy, lending an air of seriousness and impartiality to this round of negotiations. Combining Omani expertise in mediation with Switzerland's neutral umbrella provides a solid foundation for attempting to break the deadlock on the outstanding issues.
The context of tensions and the importance of dialogue
These talks come at a sensitive time, as the Middle East and the world face complex geopolitical challenges. While the precise agenda has not been disclosed, observers anticipate that the discussions will address thorny issues related to de-escalation in the region, the fate of economic sanctions, and the long-standing nuclear issue, which has been a major point of contention. The resumption of dialogue, even indirectly or through intermediaries, is a positive sign of both sides' desire to avoid open confrontation and to seek diplomatic solutions to the accumulated crises.
Politics
Faisal bin Farhan engages in dialogue with leaders of Munich Youth 2026 regarding international crises
The Saudi Foreign Minister participated in a dialogue session with Munich Youth Leaders as part of the Munich Security Conference 2026, reviewing the Kingdom’s positions on crises and the importance of constructive dialogue.
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s active diplomatic efforts on the international stage, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated today (Saturday) in a strategic dialogue session with the “Munich Young Leaders” group, jointly organized by the Körber Foundation and the Munich Security Conference, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference 2026.
The Kingdom's vision towards global challenges
The dialogue session highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's firm stances on various current regional and international crises. During the discussion, His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs reviewed the Saudi vision, which prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, emphasizing the importance of intensifying "sincere and constructive dialogue" as the only way to overcome the common challenges facing the international community, from geopolitical tensions to issues of global security and stability.
The importance of the Munich Security Conference and the Kingdom's leading role
The Kingdom's participation in the Munich Security Conference is of paramount strategic importance, as this conference is the world's foremost platform for discussing international security policies. Prince Faisal bin Farhan's participation underscores Riyadh's pivotal role as a peacemaker and a reliable partner in maintaining regional and international security and stability. Through its ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom is working to build bridges of communication with all stakeholders, affirming that economic development and prosperity cannot be achieved in isolation from security and political stability.
Investing in future leaders
The dialogue with the “Munich Youth Leaders” is a significant forward-looking step, as this program brings together a select group of young minds and future decision-makers from around the world. The Foreign Minister’s keenness to meet with this group reflects the Kingdom’s belief in the importance of engaging rising generations in formulating innovative solutions to complex crises and conveying the Saudi perspective transparently to future leaders in global political and security circles.
High-level diplomatic presence
The session witnessed a notable Saudi diplomatic presence, with the participation of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al Kabeer, Director General of the General Directorate of Policy Planning, reflecting the depth of the political discourse presented. Also present was Mr. Nawaf bin Khalid Al-Issa, a member of the Munich Youth Leaders 2026, highlighting the active Saudi presence not only at the leadership level but also among qualified young professionals in international forums.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its balanced diplomatic approach, seeking through these international platforms to enhance multilateral cooperation and advance efforts to de-escalate tensions in various hotspots around the world.
Politics
The Foreign Minister highlights the Kingdom's positions at the Munich Conference 2026
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated in a session with the leaders of Munich Youth 2026, reviewing the Kingdom's positions on crises and the importance of constructive dialogue to enhance international security.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated today (Saturday) in a strategic dialogue session with the “Munich Young Leaders” group, which was organized by the Körber Foundation in cooperation with the Munich Security Conference, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in its 2026 edition.
The session featured extensive and in-depth discussions on the most prominent challenges facing the international system today. His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs reviewed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's firm and unwavering positions on various regional and international crises. During his remarks, His Highness emphasized the Saudi vision, which prioritizes sincere, transparent, and constructive dialogue as a cornerstone for overcoming the complex geopolitical obstacles facing the world, stressing that diplomatic solutions remain the optimal choice for ensuring global security and stability.
This participation is of particular importance given the Munich Security Conference's status as the world's leading forum for security policy, where decision-makers, heads of state, and ministers convene to discuss current and future threats. The Kingdom's active participation in this international forum reflects its pivotal and growing role as a regional and international force for peace, consistently striving to bridge divides and support efforts to defuse crises in the Middle East and the world.
In a related context, the Kingdom's engagement with the "Munich Youth Leaders" underscores Saudi diplomacy's belief in the importance of investing in future generations of global decision-makers. This platform provides a unique opportunity to explain the Saudi perspective on complex issues and to highlight the Kingdom's initiatives based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for national sovereignty, and collective action to address shared challenges such as climate change, energy security, and combating terrorism.
This important meeting was attended by His Highness the Minister, the Director General of the General Administration for Policy Planning, His Highness Prince Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid bin Saud Al Kabeer, and a member of the Munich Youth Leaders for 2026, Professor Nawaf bin Khalid Al-Issa, reflecting the intensive and qualitative Saudi presence in all the conference activities to ensure that the Kingdom’s voice and its ambitious vision for the future are conveyed.
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