Bahrain Hosts Crucial Arab Summit on Gaza and Palestinian Statehood

Bahrain will host the 33rd Arab Summit on May 16, 2024, the first since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza war. Hudhaifa Ebrahim reports from Manama that the summit will address key regional issues, with a focus on Gaza, proposing a cease-fire, and advancing the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem. The summit will also tackle the Red Sea navigation threat, Arabian Gulf security, border issues between Djibouti and Eritrea, and the conflict in Sudan.

Leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria will attend, along with a Russian representative. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain underscores the urgency of peace efforts and establishing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Palestinian ambassador to Bahrain, Taha Abdul Qader, seeks increased financial support for the Palestinian Authority, urging $100 million per month to cover budget deficits caused by Israel halting import duties.

Dr. Ayed Al-Manna, a Kuwaiti analyst, predicts the summit will see unprecedented Arab consensus on resolving the Palestinian conflict and other regional issues. Saudi journalist Mohammad Rashid anticipates strong pressure on the US and Israel to implement the two-state solution and exclude Hamas from future Palestinian governance. The summit aims to produce decisive actions toward peace and stability in the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Palestinian issue and reducing tensions across the region.