Egypt considered Smotrich‘s statements a blatant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and all relevant Security Council resolutions, in addition to the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The Arab Republic of Egypt affirms that these irresponsible and extremist statements from a member of the Israeli government clearly reflect the Israeli tendency to refuse to adopt the peace option in the region, the absence of an Israeli partner capable of making courageous decisions to bring about peace, and the existence of an insistence on adopting a policy of arrogance, which is the same policy.” Which brought the region into the current cycle of conflict.”
The statement added that these “extremist” statements are in stark contrast to the position of the international community calling for ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt stressed its rejection of these “reprehensible” statements that fuel extremism and violence, stressing the international responsibility to protect the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most importantly their right to self-determination, which is the only and practical solution to end the conflict in the region and break out of the cycle of violence and destruction, warning against continuing the escalation approach. And extremism aims to prolong, inflame and expand the conflict.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed during a meeting in the Knesset the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, considering it an opportunity to annex the West Bank to Israel.
Smotrich considered that “the year 2025 will be the year of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), noting that “instructions have been issued to the Settlement Directorate in the Ministry of Security and the Civil Administration to begin work on preparing the infrastructure required to impose sovereignty.”
Smotrich added, “There is now a broad consensus in the coalition and the opposition from all parts of the Knesset to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state that would pose a threat to the existence of Israel.”
Source: RT
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How might the recent tensions impact Egypt’s long-standing role as a mediator in Middle East conflicts?
**Interview with Dr. Layla Ahmed, Middle East Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ahmed. Egypt recently condemned statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, describing them as a “blatant violation” of international law. What do you think the implications of this statement are for regional politics?
**Dr. Ahmed:** Thank you for having me. Egypt’s strong condemnation signals a significant concern about the direction of Israeli policy, particularly under the current government. By highlighting Smotrich’s comments as a violation of international law, Egypt is reaffirming its commitment to international norms and the peace process. This could strain Egyptian-Israeli relations and impact broader Arab-Israeli diplomacy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that this interpretation might impact diplomacy. Can you elaborate on how this might affect Egypt’s role as a mediator in the region?
**Dr. Ahmed:** Certainly. Egypt has historically positioned itself as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With statements like these, Egypt is taking a more active stance against what it perceives as provocations from Israel. This might lead to increased solidarity among Arab states and perhaps a reassessment of Egypt’s approach, as it calls for more accountability from Israel regarding its policies in the occupied territories.
**Interviewer:** The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized the absence of an “Israeli partner” for peace. What does this say about the current Israeli political landscape?
**Dr. Ahmed:** This reflects a deep frustration within Egypt and the Arab world regarding Israeli leadership. The current Israeli government, which is seen as more hardline and less willing to compromise, complicates the peace efforts. It suggests that many in the region believe there is no legitimate or courageous political partner willing to make necessary concessions for peace.
**Interviewer:** So, in your view, what happens next? Will we see more coordinated responses from Arab nations in light of these statements?
**Dr. Ahmed:** I anticipate more vocal and possibly unified responses from Arab states. They may rally around the principle of adhering to international law and continue to call for a credible peace process. It’s crucial for these nations to maintain pressure on Israel while also ensuring that Palestinian voices are amplified in any discussions moving forward. The situation is fluid, but it certainly raises the stakes for all parties involved.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for your insights. The evolving dynamics in this region remain critical to watch.
**Dr. Ahmed:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue these conversations to promote understanding and, hopefully, progress toward peace.
