Egypt: Global silence on Israeli aggression in Gaza ‘unacceptable,’ no state should be above law

CAIRO – 10 November 2024: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s denunciation of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, lasting for more than a year amidst called "unacceptable" global silence.

Abdelatty made these statements during the Preparatory Meeting of Foreign Ministers for the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit set to take place in Riyadh on Monday, as per a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign minister also restated Egypt’s condemnation of the continuous Israeli aggression in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, emphasizing the immediate need to halt these violations.

He underscored Egypt's endeavors to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid in the region, stressing that no state should remain immune to accountability and above the law.

“Minister Abdelatty emphasized that the arrogance and illusions of power will not bring about peace and security for any country or the region at large,” the statement read.

He further stated that the only path to achieving peace in the region is for the Palestinian people to attain their full and legitimate rights, particularly the establishment of their independent state within their entire national territory based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Additionally, the foreign minister condemned Israeli actions against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and assaults on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

He labeled these attacks as clear breaches of international law and humanitarian standards amidst the Security Council's apparent impotence.

Furthermore, Abdelatty decried the aggression against Lebanon, stressing the immediate necessity of a ceasefire and the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

This resolution was adopted in 2006 to address hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

He urged for the empowerment of Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Lebanese army, and the election of a consensus President for Lebanon without external interference.

In late October, Saudi Arabia called for a joint Arab-Islamic summit to be convened in Riyadh on November 11 to address the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, alongside current regional developments.

The summit also occurs amidst escalating Israeli-Iranian tensions, leading to exchanges of fire between the two nations and raising concerns about a potential all-out war across the region.