The Arab Group at the United Nations on Wednesday voiced alarm over escalating regional tensions, condemning attacks by Iran against Gulf Arab states and Jordan. It also strongly criticized Israel for its military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, urging a renewed diplomatic push across the Middle East.
Saudi Ambassador Speaks for Arab Group
Speaking on behalf of the group, Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdulaziz Alwasil stated that the region faces a “dangerous escalation and hostile acts” that threaten international and regional security, emphasizing the need for mediation and preventive diplomacy. He noted that recent Iranian attacks targeting several Gulf Arab states and Jordan constitute violations of international law, the UN Charter, and principles of good neighborliness.
The Arab Group “reaffirms its rejection of any acts whose effect would be to undermine the security of states, threaten their stability or expose their peoples and capabilities to danger,” Alwasil said. He stressed that civilian infrastructure and maritime routes must be protected to ensure freedom of navigation and global trade, highlighting that strategic waterways, straits, and harbors are vital to the global economy, energy security, and international supply chains.
UN Security Council Meeting
The ambassador spoke at a high-level Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York, convened to discuss the Middle East conflict. The session was presided over by Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, which holds the council presidency this month.
The Arab Group reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful dispute settlement. Alwasil also highlighted support for international efforts to revive political processes, pointing specifically to Security Council Resolution 2817. This resolution, which condemns Iranian attacks on its neighbors and threats to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, was backed by 136 UN member states in March, reflecting global support for diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes.
He welcomed ongoing diplomatic initiatives aiming to ease regional tensions and praised Pakistan for its role in promoting dialogue and encouraging political solutions.
Palestinian Cause Central
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Alwasil said the Palestinian cause remains “the central issue of the Arab world.” He asserted that lasting peace depends on ending the Israeli occupation and enabling Palestinians to exercise their right to self-determination through an independent state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. He rejected policies that attempt to change the demographic composition of occupied Palestinian territories, including settlement expansion and forced displacement, describing them as violations of Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016).
Alwasil warned against any attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, particularly at Al-Aqsa Mosque. He said ongoing military actions and restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza have created a “grave and intolerable humanitarian emergency,” with civilians deprived of basic services and protections. He called for full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2803 on the Gaza peace plan, including provisions for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, non-occupation, non-annexation, and non-displacement.
Diplomacy Key to Resolving Crises
The ambassador noted that the existing Gaza ceasefire agreement was achieved through mediation by Egypt, Qatar, the US, and Turkiye, demonstrating diplomacy’s role in achieving political solutions. He stressed that regional crises cannot be resolved by military means but require coordinated international action based on dialogue, mediation, respect for international law, and addressing root causes of conflict.
Regarding Lebanon, Alwasil condemned continuing Israeli military activity, expressed condolences over deaths of Lebanese army personnel during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and called for protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty and armed forces. He urged intensified international efforts to end the conflict, ensure humanitarian access, and support political processes for peace and stability, while welcoming US mediation and Lebanese-led initiatives.
On Syria, he condemned Israeli incursions as violations of sovereignty and international law, urging full compliance with the 1974 disengagement agreement and demanding withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied positions, including the occupied Syrian Golan.
Alwasil concluded that the international community shares responsibility for promoting dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building measures. “Lasting peace is not achieved through force but through genuine political will, diplomacy and respect for international law,” he said, reaffirming the Arab Group’s commitment to working with the UN and partners for a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East.
