Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: ‘The Deal of The Century’ will require an independent Palestinian State, according to Oman's Minister Responsible for Foreign affairs, who held a lecture regarding Oman's foreign policy yesterday evening at Oman's Cultural Club.
His Excellency Yosuf bin Alawi, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, spoke about Oman's foreign policy in the closer region, His Majesty's vision for Oman's friendly relationship with other country, and the Palestinian cause and what must be done in order for negotiations to take place successfully between Palestine and Israel.
Alawi said, “The Americans will be unable to execute the 'Deal of the Century' unless there is an independent, sovereign Palestinian State.
“We have heard from both sides about the possibility of agreement on things that were difficult in the past, such as Jerusalem, the settlements, and security, which are extremely tangled issues,” he added, hinting that the new openness to agreement could lead to breakthroughs on some specific issues.
“Both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders visited the Sultanate, and both were aware of the other’s visit. This was not hidden,” he added.
The minister said that to understand the dynamic of the two nations' relationship, a deeper knowledge of the situation is required.
“The Israelis, despite their massive military, economic, and technological strength, are still in trouble because they have not achieved security. An Israeli person, whether on the West Bank or in Israel itself, does not know what could happen to him. This is in contrast to us. We are tranquil, and can go and come back with no worries. They are not tranquil. I saw up close that they are scared.
“The Palestinian side is the more powerful; they can accept or refuse as they see fit,” he added. “The rise of an independent Palestinian state is a strategic necessity not just for Palestinians, but their entire surrounding area. Both sides have asked the Sultanate to facilitate the dialogue between them because they are sure that we have no hidden agenda. In the context of both visits, it is not Omani to make a guest say something that he does not want to say."
According to him, Oman does not have a hidden agenda or profit in this issue.
“Oman does not buy or sell in the Palestinian issue. That is a red line,” he added.
Regarding Oman’s broader foreign policy, he said, “The Sultanate is directed by His Majesty in a clear course that does not harm anyone and does not lead to danger. This course is built on honesty, transparency, and a lack of hidden agenda.
“His Majesty’s ideals are for us to increase our number of friends and lessen the number of enemies. Today, Oman has no enemies. The Sultanate does not have any border crises with any of its neighbours, which was a priority right from the start.
“Some Westerners have asked us regarding our course of action if ISIS elements return to Oman. Our answer was, of course, that Oman has ‘Zero ISIS’.”
