Egypt’s FM: Two-State Solution must be revived to prevent regional military escalation

CAIRO – 22 September 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty attended the meeting of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on the Situation in Gaza, held alongside the high-level segment of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York (UNGA 79).

Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that Abdelatty addressed Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. He emphasized that the current crisis stems from years of Israeli actions that perpetuate illegal occupation, seize land, and impose a new demographic reality. To address these root causes, he called for reviving the "two-state solution" to prevent further regional escalation.

Ambassador Khallaf also mentioned that Abdelatty discussed with committee members how to unify their efforts and messages for upcoming meetings, both collectively and in bilateral discussions. He stressed the importance of highlighting the obstacles hindering a resolution to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and allow for humanitarian aid.

The committee explored ways to support the Palestinian side, focusing on economic and financial assistance to help the Palestinian Authority cope with challenges arising from continued occupation, while also building the capacity of Palestinian institutions necessary for statehood.

Abdelatty proposed several initiatives to advance Palestinian rights within the United Nations framework, including examining the implementation of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. He discussed the need for international organizations to enhance their roles in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, supporting UNRWA, and engaging with the international community to uphold international law and protect the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing commitment to mediation and aid efforts in Gaza and urged the committee to activate the peace process. He insisted that any post-conflict arrangements must be grounded in the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state with on borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Dr. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's rejection of any scenarios aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land.