Egypt’s FM urges greater int’l efforts to reach two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

CAIRO – 5 November 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has urged the international community to exert further efforts to reach and implement the two-state solution as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The two-state solution remains the consent of the international community to the resolution of the conflict,” Shoukry said in an interview with CNN aired on Saturday.

He added that the two-state solution has been existing now for 30 years and that the international community has been paying lip service to the concept itself.

The international community “says that we would like to see a resolution on the basis of a two-state solution but if effectively does nothing to implement it so there is a contradiction and discrepancy here,” Shoukry said, urging further dedication and commitment.

Communication with Hamas

Shoukry said Egypt has existing longstanding lines of communications with Hamas, necessitated by an Egyptian-Israeli agreement to maintain a dialogue and play a role in creating common tranquility when violence has erupted.

“We are utilizing these contacts now to be able to get the agreement on the exit of third-country nationals,” Shoukry said.

Shoukry said the US has been primarily involved in coordinating with the Israelis about the exit of third-country nationals from Gaza, adding that Qatar also played “a very positive role.”

Relocation of Palestinians

Shoukry described a concept paper issued by the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence as “ludicrous.”

He added that he did not speak to Israel about “ridiculous” proposal and does not plan to do so, adding that the displacement issue violates the international humanitarian law.

“I would think that nobody would undertake an illegal activity,” he added.

Call for ceasefire

Shoukry said Egypt hopes there will not be interventions from any external parties to the conflict.

“On the contrary, we want a ceasefire,” he said.

Shoukry urged the international community and the UN to work for de-escalation of the war in Gaza and not in any way to encourage any form of widening of the conflict.

He added that the Gaza carnage speaks to “double standards."