Leaders of Cairo Summit for Peace call for ceasefire, protection of civilians and reject displacement of Palestinians

CAIRO – 21 October 2023: Conferencing in the Cairo Summit for Peace, leaders of 35 countries called for an immediate ceasefire for the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, affirming their rejection of displacement of the Palestinian people.

The New Administrative Capital hosted on Saturday Egypt’s Summit for peace with an expected wide international participation to reach a solution for the ongoing violence in Gaza that started 14 days ago and resulted so far in killing more than 4,473 Palestinian and injuring more than 14,000 others.

The call that was made by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on October 15 during a meeting of Egypt’s National Security Council was praised and welcomed internationally, especially with the continuing escalations in the Gaza strip and the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people.

President Sisi opened the summit with a call for adopting a roadmap that aims at the delivery of aid to Gaza, the de-escalation of violence,  and a ceasefire, followed by a revival of the peace process to reach a two-state solution.

 

President Sisi warned that ending the Palestinian cause without a just solution will never happen, and that it will never happen at the expense of Egypt.

“I want to state clearly and unequivocally to the world that every single Egyptian thinks that ending the Palestinian cause without a just solution is beyond the realm of possibility, and that in all cases, this can never happen at the expense of Egypt,” said President Sisi

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also warned against attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their lands, saying “We totally reject the deportation of Palestinians from Gaza. We will not leave.”

 

In his speech at the Cairo Summit for Peace, Abbas called for implementing the two-state solution and resolving the refugee issue based on United Nations Resolution 194, asking for an immediate end of the Israeli aggression and for opening humanitarian corridors to allow food, medicine, and other necessities into the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We reiterate our complete rejection of the killing of civilians on both sides, and demand the release of all civilians, prisoners, and detainees. We affirm that we are committed to international legitimacy, the signed agreements, and the adoption of political and legal methods to achieve our national goals. These are the policies of the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” he added.

In his speech, Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned the ongoing Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza as an act of “collective punishment” and a “war crime.”

 

“The relentless bombing campaign taking place in Gaza, as we speak, is collective punishment of besieged and helpless people. It is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime,” King Abdullah said.

Bahrain King Hamad bin Khalifa said at the Cairo Summit for Peace that his country supports the Palestinians' legitimate right to establishing a state on the border of 1967 through the two-state solution.

He added that the aggression on Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinians affirm the urgent need to contain this crisis, and that “international and regional efforts are required to de-escalate the situation, protect the civilians, release all the prisoners and captives, and end the besiege on Gaza."

“And we reject the deportation of Gaza from its own land,” he concluded.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stressed the need for immediate solutions for the situation in Gaza, saying that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian Cause and that self-defense must be in compliance with international laws.

The Cypriot President stated: “Civilians must be protected, hostages must be released, and war must end as it will expand to other areas in the region, causing threat to international security.” He stressed his appreciation for the efforts deployed by Egypt to achieve de-escalation in Gaza and pave the way for the entry of aid.

In his speech, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres talked about his visit to Rafah Crossing Friday where he saw lorries filled with aid on one side and hungry homeless people on the other; however, access was not possible. Guterres asserted that such nightmare threatening the safety of children must stop.

For his part, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa stated he rejects the killing of civilians, the siege imposed on Gaza, and the decision to force the population of the strip to be displaced.

The president of South Africa called for lifting the siege off Gaza, stating that Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank of Palestine is a cruel abuse of power.

President of the European Council Charles Michel said that the right to access to humanitarian aid for marginalized segments must be guaranteed and that it is the responsibility of the international community.

Mauritanian President underscored that Palestine must have its own state, with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital, as a sustainable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Crown Prince of Kuwait expressed his country’s rejection of the displacement calls that forces neighboring countries to pay the price of the conflict, underlining that a Palestinian state must be established on the 1967 borders.

For his side, Chairman of Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfy said that the practices of the occupational state over the past two weeks constitute a violation of international law, condemning the attempts to displace Gaza residents to Sinai Peninsula or other areas. He demanded the protection of Palestinian civilians and the launch of a peace process, without the termination of the Palestinian Cause.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza must be guaranteed, which requires a ceasefire. “On the other hand, Hamas has to release hostages unconditionally...We must exert efforts to end that conflict...We need the two-state solution.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted that collective punishment must not be condoned, adding that Hamas is a terrorist organization that does not represent Palestinians and inflicts harm on both Israel and Palestine. He also refuted attempts to displace Palestinians and welcomed opening routes for the delivery of aid to civilians in Gaza, urging de-escalation. Mitsotakis further stressed the salience of the two-state solution to ensure regional peace and expressed rejection of military intervention.

For her part, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni urged protecting children in Gaza, expressing worries about the Italian hostages held by Hamas, and stating that an end must be put to the terrorist actions of the group.

Iraqi prime Minister Mohamed Shia Sudani said that a genocide is taking place in Gaza as homes, hospitals, and worship places have been targeted, pointing out to the massacre of the Baptist Hospital that incurred almost 600 deaths.

The Iraqi PM noted that it is time to end the crimes of the Israeli occupation, which might trigger a regional conflict that can turn into an international one. “No one has the right to end the Palestinian Cause as the Palestinians have the right to stay on their land,” Iraqi PM said.

 

President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani called on the international community to establish the two-State solution for the security and stability of the region. He urged an immediate ceasefire to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, raising an alarm over the escalating chaos in the Middle East amid Israel's continued aggression on the Palestinians.

Omani Deputy Prime Minister Asa'ad bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said urges the delivery of humanitarian aid, electricity, and fuel to Gaza, stressing the necessity of implementing the provisions of the UN resolutions pertaining to the Palestinian Cause, including the establishment of the Palestinian State on the 1967 borders.

Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abul Gheit underscores that civilians must not be categorized into superior and inferior so that the rights of all are preserved, warning against turning the conflict into a religious one.

Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki pointed out that the union has called for an immediate ceasefire early in the conflict in order to make the delivery of the humanitarian aid possible, and further explained that “with regard to the root causes of the conflict, an international front must be created” to push forward the peace process and the two-state solution.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan condemned the targeting of civilians without discrimination, calling for a fair and comprehensive peaceful solution, and urging an immediate ceasefire.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned Israeli targeting of hospitals and their setting of conditions to allow humanitarian aid in Gaza. He pointed out that Israel also kills Palestinian civilians in Eastern Jerusalem, and has been arresting hundreds of Palestinians.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that Israel, as an occupational state, is responsible for securing the means of living to the Gaza residents, and hence, they should not allow a shortage in food, medicines, and electricity to take place. Vieira suggests that dialogue on the Gaza crisis should continue until the problem is solved, asserting that the issue must be taken seriously at the level of the UN Security Council.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stressed the importance of the delivery of aid to Gaza “in sufficient quantities,” given the unbearable humanitarian conditions there. He also confirmed his country’s support to the two-state solution as a sustainable unravelment to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna described Hamas attack on Israeli settlements as barbaric, highlighting that over 30 French citizens got killed while seven others are still missing, which makes it possible they might have been taken as hostages. She said that Israel has the right to self-defense; nevertheless, its actions must comply with international law, adding that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian Cause and that her country has pledged €10 million in aid to civilians in Gaza. Colonna called for a humanitarian truce to allow the delivery of aid and the unconditional departure of foreign citizens stuck in Gaza.

For her part, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that her country has also pledged $10 million in aid to Gaza, in addition to $50 million to UN organizations to deal with the crisis. She demanded Hamas release hostages, noting that Canadian citizens have to be freed. She also accused Iran of using its proxies to destabilize the region.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that some Lebanese families are worried about the ongoing escalation, in an indication to the Lebanese Hezbollah role in the conflict. She added that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian Cause and that its attack on Israeli settlements on October 7 is an act of terrorism.

The German foreign minister revealed pledging €50 million in aid to Gaza, expressing support to innocent men, women, and children, and stating that a fair and comprehensive solution is intertwined with the elimination of Hamas.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide condemned Hamas’ attack on civilians as well as the siege imposed by Israel on civilians in Gaza. He expressed gratitude for all parties that made possible the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza on Saturday. The Norwegian foreign minister also warned that the current Gaza crisis is a threat to all countries in the region, underscoring the importance of reaching an immediate solution and resuming the peace process. He also said that now is not the right time to cut assistance to the Palestinian authorities, pointing out that the absence of a long-term solution in the horizon worsens the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

 

Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa said that the international community must not tolerate the terrible acts committed by Hamas. She added that pacification is needed in Gaza or tension will spread to other countries in the region. She also urged the supply of food, medicines, electricity, and water to Gaza residents, saying “Japan has committed $10 million in aid to Gaza.”

The Japanese FM praised the Egyptian efforts pertinent to the delivery of aid, pointing to her country’s support to UNRWA to establish agricultural and industrial projects on Palestinian lands.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly extended condolences on both Israeli and Palestinian victims, and urged concerting efforts to end the ongoing tragedy, saying that Hamas has been obstructing peaceful solutions and stressing the importance of releasing hostages.

 

Cleverly expressed support to Israel to defend itself and take actions to free hostages in the framework of international law, saying that the two-state solution can be accomplished and that Palestinians and Israelis can coexist in peace.

Additional reporting by Amr Kandil and Samar Samir