'Palestinians are fighting existential battle': Egypt's FM in extraordinary Arab League meeting on Israeli violations in Jerusalem

CAIRO – 11 May 2021: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry took part Tuesday in the extraordinary ministerial meeting convened by the Arab League to examine moves aimed at facing Israeli attacks on Jerusalem.

The minister noted that while Muslims worldwide celebrate Ramadan, "our brothers in Jerusalem have not got the opportunity to feel the spirituality of the Holy Month because they are fighting an existential battle in defense of their sacred places, and homes against new Israeli attacks targeting their rights in the land, that is their birthplace."

"The whole world witnessed what Al Aqsa Mosque has been subject to over the past days. Seeing that sacred spot turn into a battlefield because of Israeli forces provoked the feelings of all of us. We saw unarmed worshippers get beaten up and detained instead of being protected while performing their religious rituals freely and safely," Shokry underscored.

"The Israeli violations were not just confined to the fences of Al Aqsa Mosque but they also extended to Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood that became an epitome of holding out and a synonym of dignity. The incessant attempts to alter the identity of Jerusalem and strip its Arab inhabitants of their rights would not just pass," the minister showcased saying that the resistance of the residents of Jerusalem is not odd at all.

Shokry highlighted that Arabs' solidarity with the citizens of Jerusalem during those hard times negates any claims that Arab peoples no long care about the Palestinian Cause, which is still a central cause for Arabs.

"Egypt declares its renunciation and refutation of the Israeli violations that breach international law, undermine chances to achieve the two-state solutions, and pose a threat to the pillars of security and stability in the region," the minister stated.

"The violation of Al Aqsa Mosque on those holy days and in that manner is considered a provocation to the feelings of the faithful across the Islamic world. Peoples do not forget, and real established peace in the Middle East requires the consent of the peoples. I do not think that the breach of the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque or ripping Palestinians off their homes in Sheikh Jarrah will contribute in cultivating such consent," Minister Shokry said.

The minister also presented the moves made by Egypt internationally to bring such an escalation to a halt. That is by sending messages to Israel as well as countries that can play a role in pacification. "However, the response was not significant so Egypt is still heavily communicating with all active international and regional parties to accomplish pacification in Jerusalem," Shokry announced.

The minister added that the fait accompli policy pursued by Israel and the resort to excessive force proved their failure in achieving security in the region. Hence, Egypt calls for terminating such escalation committed against the Palestinian people, and urges Israel to bear responsibility in accordance with international law by providing protection for Palestinian civilians and maintaining their rights in practicing their religious rituals freely and safely. Egypt also demands Israeli authorities to cease any practices that violate the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque and the Holy Month of Ramadan, and that target the Arab identity of Jerusalem and its sacred sites by forcibly displacing its residents, particularly those of Sheikh Jarrah.

Egypt calls upon all Arab countries to continue aligning and exercising solidarity with the Palestinian people in such a critical time. "I would like to point out that our endeavors and goals are not just aimed at pacification but also at creating a political climate for reaching a settlement as the absence of such climate caused the confrontation at hand. Such settlement consists of establishing a Palestinian state whose capital is eastern Jerusalem. Similar crises will occur, if the initial issue is not resolved. That issue will not just disappear, if ignored. Settling the initial issue is the responsibility of the international community. That is why we wish that the United Nations Security Council issued Monday a clear statement reflecting its understanding of the danger of what is happening in the Middle East. Yet, the council was keen to evade its duties abandoning its credibility," the minister said.   

Shokry concluded his speech by asserting Egypt's fixed stance on the Palestinian Cause being the main central cause for the Arab World. He also stressed Egypt's readiness to provide all forms of support to the Palestinian people during the current predicament. "I affirm our complete solidarity with the Palestinian people and its legitimate right in establishing its independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967 having as capital eastern Jerusalem," the minister added. He stipulated that Egypt will continue to work on achieving the two-state solution in fulfillment to international legitimacy resolutions, which accomplishes the international and regional security and stability as well as justice principles.