Sisi marks Palestinian reconciliation with message to gov’t

CAIRO – 3 October 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi addressed on Tuesday the Palestinian national consensus government in a recorded message during its first meeting in Gaza since 2014. The government listened to Sisi’s message during their meeting, which was attended by Egypt’s Intelligence Chief, Minister Khaled Fawzi and the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ramy al-Hamdallah.

Sisi wished Palestinians that all their dreams and hopes would be realized after finalizing the unity efforts and ending the division. He also emphasized that the Palestinian cause was and will always remain vital and present in every forum and occasion, and that it is a priority for Egypt despite all challenges.

The president highlighted that there is a real opportunity of achieving peace in the region. He added that Palestinians are better positioned when they are united, pointing out that some parties took advantage of the Palestinian weakness as a result of the split, to achieve their personal political agenda. He urged all Palestinians to cooperate, as it is the only means possible of restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Sisi affirmed that Egypt will never accept any foreign interference in Palestine, and that all Palestinian disagreements can be solved by support from neighboring Arab countries.

Finally, Sisi confirmed that Egypt’s support for unity and reconciliation will never end, and that Egypt is determined to enhance the living conditions of Palestinians.

Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah thanked Sisi and the Egyptian Intelligence Chief for the efforts they exerted in the Palestinian reconciliation and pushing forward the Palestinian cause.

On Tuesday, the Palestinian consensus government convened in Gaza for the first time since its formation in 2014. This step came after Hamas’ announcement on September 17 that it will dissolve its administrative committee in the Gaza Strip, which operated as a shadow government. Hamadallah arrived to the Gaza Strip on Monday where Hamas handed over the administration of the Gaza Strip to his government.

Despite a number of attempts to reconcile the Palestinian split led by international and Arab efforts, only Egypt with its historical and political position was able to bring an end to this nightmare. Egypt managed to bring the conflicting Palestinian factions to overcome their differences and to invest in creating new conditions away from the fear of exclusion. Egypt helped the factions realize that they need to move forward towards a partnership based on the fact that Palestine is for all Palestinians.