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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What are the key international laws that Dr. Amina Khalil believes are being violated by Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s statements?
**Interview with Dr. Amina Khalil, Middle East Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khalil. We just heard about Egypt’s strong reaction to Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s recent statements regarding the Palestinian territories. Can you provide some context on why these statements are seen as a violation of international law?
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. Smotrich’s statements are viewed as a blatant disregard for international law, especially in the context of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that these remarks contradict various Security Council resolutions and the advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice regarding the legitimacy of the occupation. Essentially, they imply a refusal to recognize Palestinian rights and undermine established international legal frameworks.
**Interviewer:** The Egyptian government has called Smotrich’s comments “irresponsible” and “extremist.” How do such statements reflect the current political climate in Israel?
**Dr. Khalil:** Indeed, what Egypt termed as “irresponsible” reflects a broader trend in Israeli politics where hardline elements express opposition to any form of compromise. This attitude not only complicates the peace process but also reveals a lack of an effective Israeli partner willing to make necessary sacrifices for peace. Such remarks contribute to a climate of hostility and are seen as evidence of a continuing occupation mentality.
**Interviewer:** What implications does this situation have for regional peace efforts, especially considering Egypt’s role as a mediator?
**Dr. Khalil:** Egypt has long positioned itself as a key mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The negative rhetoric from Israel certainly hampers these mediation efforts. If Israeli officials dismiss the need for dialogue and peace, it leaves little room for constructive engagement. Egypt’s statement indicates a strong desire for a return to negotiations based on international law, but there needs to be a commitment from Israel to engage seriously in this process.
**Interviewer:** what should we expect moving forward? How can the international community respond to such statements?
**Dr. Khalil:** The international community can play a crucial role by reaffirming the principles of international law and holding parties accountable for their rhetoric and actions. There must be consistent pressure from global powers to promote negotiations and discourage extremist statements. It’s vital for diplomatic channels to remain open, and for countries like Egypt to continue advocating for peace, even in the face of provocative comments from Israeli officials.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khalil, for your insights. This is an ongoing situation that merits close attention.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue that impacts not only the region but also global peace and security.
