Shoukry: Egypt stands against forced displacement of Palestinians

CAIRO - 21 November 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, along with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia, and the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held extensive talks on November 21 in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

 

This meeting came as part of the second leg of the ministerial committee’s tour, assigned by the Arab-Islamic summit, to engage with the permanent members of the Security Council to end the war on Gaza.

 

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid stated that the committee members highlighted the vital role Russia plays in regional and international issues as a permanent member of the Security Council. They also expressed hope for a robust Russian role in stopping Israeli attacks on the residents of Gaza.

 

During the meeting, the foreign ministers conveyed the unified and firm stance of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the need for an unconditional ceasefire and the sustainable and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. They also stressed the necessity to put an end to the Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which amount to war crimes.

 

Furthermore, Abu Zeid mentioned that Shoukry expressed the Arab and Islamic countries' appreciation for Russia's support for the Palestinian cause. Shoukry hoped for Russia to take a more significant par, through its permanent membership in the Security Council, in achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

 

Shoukry highlighted Egypt's clear rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians, condemning the ongoing bombardment aimed at forcing Gaza's residents to leave. He announced that Egypt is set to present a new resolution to the Security Council on behalf of the Arab and Islamic countries, addressing the current imbalance in the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

 

At the end of the meeting, the foreign ministers thanked the Russian side for their hospitality and affirmed their commitment to continue coordination with Russia to bolster efforts aimed to contain the crisis and mitigate its repercussions.