TENSIONS in the Middle East can only be defused by addressing the core issue of the Palestine-Israel conflict, a top minister has said.
Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani pointed out that the way forward for the region was to resolve the crisis to bring ‘lasting peace and security in the Middle East’.
“Bahrain and the UAE signed the historic Abraham Accords (with Israel) last year and steps taken since then provide a framework to address the conflicts that have plagued the Middle East for too long,” Dr Al Zayani said in his speech at the three-day Rotary International 8th District 2452 Conference that ends today.
“At the heart of all conflicts are genuine issues that need to be resolved and in the Middle East it is centred on the Palestinian-Israeli row.”
Dr Al Zayani highlighted clashes between the Israelis and Palestinians last month and said it calls for nations to urgently address the fault lines and “put in place a durable and comprehensive peace.”
“We already know the outlines of the two-state solution as envisaged in the Arab Peace Initiative, which protects the legitimate rights and interests of all parties.
“We now know from the Abraham Accords that a new way forward is possible for our region – and it’s about co-operation over confrontation.”
The minister was speaking in the session entitled: Peace and Conflict Prevention or Resolution.
“It is my firm belief that now is an important moment of opportunity to intensify and redouble efforts to finally resolve this conflict that will unlock so much potential for the Middle East.”
The minister said conflict prevention was one of the core functions of diplomacy and foreign policy.
“Bahrain’s key foreign policy priorities have always been to create, consolidate and sustain an environment that minimises the chance of a conflict.
“This is not a new development but is deeply rooted in Bahrain’s long history of dialogue and co-operation.”
Dr Al Zayani admitted that there will always be extremist elements pushing the situation towards violence for their own benefit.
“Our job as diplomats and peace builders is to ensure that those voices are not heard and that the forces of moderation carry the day.”
He added that the Middle East had a long history of division and distrust, and it was imperative to have an organic model “based on the needs and reality of the region.”
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