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 presence 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 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 yesterday, 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 do Egypt’s responses to Smotrich’s statements reflect its role in the broader Arab-Israeli conflict?
**News Interview: Evaluating Egypt’s Response to Smotrich’s Statements**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, and welcome to our program. Our guest today is Dr. Fatima Ayman, an expert in Middle Eastern politics and international relations. Dr. Ayman, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Ayman:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Egypt recently condemned statements made by Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich, labeling them as a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Can you break down what Smotrich said and why it garnered such a strong response from the Egyptian government?
**Dr. Ayman:** Certainly. Smotrich’s statements were perceived as provocative, reflecting a hardline approach that undermines the peace process and dismisses established international norms concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called these comments irresponsible and indicative of a broader Israeli reluctance to pursue peace, which resonates with a long-standing concern regarding the occupation of Palestinian territories.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. How does this relate to the ongoing tensions in the region?
**Dr. Ayman:** The advisory opinion from the ICJ highlights the illegality of the Israeli occupation and calls for respect for human rights in the region. Egypt’s reference to this opinion underscores its commitment to international law and reflects concerns that extremist rhetoric, like that of Smotrich, further complicates peace efforts. They are signaling that such statements can contribute to instability, which ultimately harms not just the Palestinians, but the entire region.
**Interviewer:** Egypt has also pointed to an absence of a credible Israeli partner for peace negotiations. What does this imply for future diplomatic efforts in the region?
**Dr. Ayman:** This implies a significant challenge for future diplomatic efforts. Without a partner willing to make difficult compromises or engage in meaningful dialogue, the likelihood of successful negotiations diminishes greatly. Egypt’s statement suggests that the current Israeli government’s stance may be reinforcing barriers to peace rather than breaking them down. This environment of distrust and hostility can lead to further escalation.
**Interviewer:** what are the potential implications of these statements for relations between Israel and Egypt, as well as the broader Arab world?
**Dr. Ayman:** The implications can be severe. Such strong condemnations strain diplomatic relations and can lead to increased tensions. For the Arab world, it reflects a growing concern over Israeli policies that seem to move away from peace initiatives. Egypt, as a historical mediator, wants to uphold its role, but it requires a cooperative partner on the Israeli side to do so effectively. The future trajectory of peace in the region heavily depends on these dynamics.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ayman, for your insights on this pressing issue. We appreciate your expertise.
**Dr. Ayman:** Thank you for having me.
