Palestinian security institute: Egypt's stance on forced displacement halts Israeli plans

CAIRO - 12 November 2024: General Habis Sharouf, Director of the Palestinian National Security Institute, stated that Egypt's strong opposition to Israel's forced displacement policies has prevented the advancement of certain Israeli plans, affirming the country’s leadership role in protecting Palestinian rights.

Speaking on Nile News, Sharouf praised the recent Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, which he described as a historic event resulting in a strategic roadmap for unified action on Palestine.

The summit took place at a critical time, following the US elections that brought Donald Trump into office, and after 18 months of extensive devastation in Gaza and Lebanon.

Sharouf asserted that the two-state solution remains the sole viable path for peace and stability in the Middle East. This position counters various speculations and statements made by Israel, the US, and other Western nations regarding alternative approaches. He emphasized that the unified stance of Arab and Islamic nations reflects the depth of regional commitment to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, underscoring the centrality of the Palestinian cause for Arab nations.

Sharouf highlighted the decisive and firm position of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian government against Israel's policies of forced displacement targeting Palestinians. Egypt’s stance, he noted, has acted as a significant deterrent, preventing further implementation of Israeli relocation plans. The broader support of Arab nations has created a robust barrier against these policies, representing a unified Arab response.

The Director of the Palestinian National Security Institute also referenced controversial remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed Palestinians had limited options—death, displacement, or subjugation. Sharouf explained that the Arab leadership has put forth a roadmap for a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and broader Middle East stability.

Consequently, he underscored that figures like Smotrich cannot unilaterally shape the region's future, as it rests in the collective hands of Arab and Islamic nations.