Saudi Arabia welcomed the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to accept the State of Palestine as a full member. In a speech following the October 31st vote on Palestine’s membership bid, Saudi Permanent Representative to UNESCO Dr. Ziad Al-Drees hailed the move and reiterated the Kingdom’s enduring support for the Palestinian cause.

During a speech at the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris on October 28, Minister of Education Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, who led the Saudi delegation to the meeting, urged all member states to accept the State of Palestine. The world community must acknowledge the right of the Palestinians to a homeland, he said, which will contribute to regional and world peace. “How do we talk about peace and we close our eyes to the most righteous cause: the cause of the Palestinian people, who just want to have a homeland like other people,” he asked. “Can you imagine the feelings of a person without a homeland?” Therefore, the Education Minister declared, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announces its continuous and absolute support for the acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full member of UNESCO.”