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The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, known as the R4 Group, issued a joint declaration after meeting in Istanbul, saying Israel's occupation is the main source of instability in the region and beyond and that Israeli policies have created a deep sense of injustice in global public opinion.

The ministers urged the swift implementation of a two-state solution in line with relevant UN decisions and called for an end to ongoing Israeli violence and to attempts to change the legal and historical status of Jerusalem.

Meeting under a shared commitment

The ministers said they gathered in Istanbul to address regional issues of common interest, acting on a shared understanding of their commitment to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, in line with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.

Palestinian rights and calls on Israel

The declaration repeated support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in the pursuit of a comprehensive Middle East peace, including the inalienable right to self-determination and to establish an independent, sovereign, viable and geographically contiguous State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the June 4, 1967 borders.

The ministers called for an immediate end to what they described as ongoing Israeli violence and attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem, and for a halt to destruction and the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine. They condemned all past and present settlement activity in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as settler violence against Palestinians, and stressed the need for an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the urgent reconstruction of the territory.

Condemnation of Houthi escalation in Yemen

On Yemen, the ministers strongly condemned what they called the unacceptable escalation by Houthi militias that deepens human suffering, the continuing attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the attacks carried out against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

Expressing full solidarity with the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia, the ministers called on the Iran-backed Houthis to immediately halt all military actions, threats and attacks and to return in good faith to the political process.

Call for dialogue on maritime security

The declaration stressed the urgent need to address the military conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as around the Strait of Hormuz, through dialogue and diplomacy, and to prevent attacks on ships, civilians and civilian infrastructure. The ministers voiced support for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and reaffirmed their commitment to a lasting solution reached through negotiations.

Freedom of navigation, lasting maritime safety and security, and the protection of navigation rights and freedoms were described as vital. Disruption of shipping lanes, the declaration said, blocks global supply chains and the flow of energy, fertilizers and food, harming vulnerable communities in the region and beyond and threatening the security and prosperity of all, which requires a joint effort by the international community.

The ministers rejected any measure or restriction that impedes navigation in accordance with the law and called for the rapid and full resumption of safe, secure and unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz. They agreed to maintain close consultation and cooperation on the issues set out in the declaration.

Key takeaways

• The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia issued a joint declaration after meeting in Istanbul.
• They called for the swift implementation of a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
• The ministers strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
• They urged dialogue to defuse the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran and the full resumption of unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz.