Egyptian FM urges Israel to not take any procedures undermining creation of peace climate

CAIRO – 12 July 2021: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told his Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, that Egypt hopes the Israeli government does not take any procedures that can undermine the creation of a suitable climate for peace and stability and raise the tensions and chances of escalation.

As they met in Brussels on Sunday, Shoukry referred to Egypt’s efforts within the framework of the reconstruction file and the delivery of Egyptian aid and developmental support to all the Palestinian lands, in cooperation with the national Palestinian authority.

This requires concerted efforts so that these endeavors succeed and the burden on the Palestinian people is alleviated, Shoukry said.

Shoukry affirmed the importance of breaking the ongoing stalemate between the Palestinian and Israeli sides in order to launch a just and comprehensive negotiated path on the basis of international references and relevant Security Council decisions, ensuring that a contiguous and viable Palestinian state is established on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This is one of the main components for strengthening the pillars of security and stability in the region, Shoukry said, stressing that Cairo will not fail to support all international efforts to achieve this goal and coordinate with various actors in this regard.

Late in May, Israel and the Gaza factions started a ceasefire proposed by Egypt after Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire killed 254 people including women and children.

The Gaza factions also fired rockets at Israeli lands in retaliation for the Israeli assaults against Palestinians in Jerusalem.