Leading Saudi Editors and Commentators call for two-state solution ahead of mini-Arab summit on Gaza formula of President Trump

Saudi Arabia's humanitarian efforts, diplomatic relations, and role in peace initiatives highlighted by leading commentators and historians.

Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a neutral venue for dialogue to resolve long-festering conflicts in Europe and West Asia is not sudden and is based on a tradition of helping partner countries caught in conflicts, said leading Saudi editors and commentators on Thursday (February 20, 2025).

Addressing the Saudi Media Forum, a media conclave which is taking place parallel to the peace initiatives in Riyadh, the commentators said Saudi Arabia’s role in the U.S.-Russia dialogue as well as the mini-Arab summit for the Gaza crisis planned for this weekend is based on preserving Arab self-interest as well as stability for the region.

“When the displaced Syrians took refuge in certain countries after 2011, they had many restrictions on them. But the Syrians who sought refuge in Saudi Arabia did not have to live like refugees and they had the permission to work and live wherever they wanted to. It was this spirit that led to the formation of the King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center which has become one of the largest relief organizations in the world,” said Jasser Al-Jasser, historian and commentator on Saudi diplomacy..

“King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center has become as big as Doctors Without Frontiers in its scope,” said Mr Al-Jasser pointing out that Saudi Arabia has been quietly investing in increasing its soft power over the years.

In the recent past, Saudi Arabia had given refuge to the late President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali who was overthrown in the Arab Spring uprising in Tunisia in 2011. That apart, even the late Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan also received refuge in Saudi Arabia during their years in exile.

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Jamil Al-Dhiyabi, Editor-in-Chief of Okaz newspaper reminded the audience in the Saudi Media Forum that keeping its deep relation with several friendly countries in view, Saudi Arabia has utilized its scholarship programmes to build relationship and ties over the decades. “Our policy is to open dialogue windows for partner countries to the best of our abilities,” said Mr Al-Dhiyabi.