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 notably their right to self-determination, which is the only and practical solution to end the conflict in the region and get 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 can Egypt effectively mediate the peace process in light of the current Israeli leadership’s stance?
**Interview with Dr. Fatima El-Masri, Middle East Politics Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. El-Masri. Egypt has recently made strong statements regarding Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks, calling them violations of international law. Can you shed some light on the context of these statements?
**Dr. El-Masri:** Thank you for having me. The recent remarks by Smotrich have indeed stirred significant controversy. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responsibly highlighted that his statements not only violate international humanitarian law but also contradict multiple Security Council resolutions and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion. This response underscores Egypt’s longstanding position regarding the Israeli occupation and the need for a peaceful resolution.
**Editor:** You mentioned the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. How critical is this legal framework in maintaining regional peace and security?
**Dr. El-Masri:** The advisory opinion serves as a pivotal reference for international law concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s important because it establishes the legal parameters within which nations should operate. Egypt’s invocation of this opinion reinforces their call for Israel to adhere to international norms and for the international community to hold Israel accountable. Without this framework, the potential for a meaningful peace process diminishes significantly.
**Editor:** Egypt’s statement referred to an “absence of an Israeli partner” for peace. From your perspective, what does this imply for future peace negotiations?
**Dr. El-Masri:** It suggests a frustrating reality: the current Israeli leadership, represented by figures like Smotrich, shows little willingness to engage in meaningful peace talks. Egypt’s assertion that there is a lack of a courageous decision-maker from the Israeli side indicates that they perceive a stagnation in the peace process. For any negotiations to be fruitful, both sides need to be committed to dialogue and compromise, something that seems increasingly elusive under the current circumstances.
**Editor:** Given the tensions in the region, what role do you believe Egypt should play moving forward?
**Dr. El-Masri:** Egypt has historically positioned itself as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has strong ties with both the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Moving forward, Egypt should leverage its diplomatic relationships to advocate for renewed dialogue. Additionally, Egypt can encourage regional and international partners to support initiatives that promote peace and accountability while reminding all parties of their obligations under international law.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. El-Masri. Your insights on this critical issue are invaluable as we continue to follow developments in the region.
**Dr. El-Masri:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the conversation going as we seek pathways to peace and stability.
