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 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 broader implications of Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks for Israeli-Egyptian relations?
**Interview with Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed, Middle Eastern Politics Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. El-Sayed. Recently, Egypt issued a strong statement condemning remarks made by Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Israeli government. Can you summarize Egypt’s position on this matter?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Thank you for having me. Egypt’s statement essentially argues that Smotrich’s remarks serve as a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles, along with established UN Security Council resolutions and the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. They view these statements as not just irresponsible, but also indicative of a broader Israeli reluctance to pursue peace.
**Editor:** You mentioned the notion of an ”absence of an Israeli partner capable of making courageous decisions.” What does this imply for the peace process?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** It implies that Egypt sees a lack of leadership on the Israeli side willing to take necessary risks for peace. They are concerned that Smotrich’s hardline stance reflects a broader Israeli governmental sentiment that prioritizes occupation over negotiation, which makes any potential peace efforts increasingly difficult.
**Editor:** What might be the implications of these tensions for regional stability?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Continued tensions and hardline rhetoric could escalate violence and undermine any hope for dialogue. Egypt, as a key player in the peace process, is clearly signaling that these kinds of statements could lead to further destabilization, not just for Israel and Palestine, but for the entire region.
**Editor:** Given this backdrop, what steps do you think Egypt might take next to address their concerns?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Egypt may seek to rally support from other Arab nations and international partners to put pressure on Israel to commit more seriously to peace negotiations. They may also call for renewed discussions within international forums to emphasize compliance with international law and humanitarian norms.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. El-Sayed, for your insights on this pressing issue. Your expertise helps to clarify an increasingly complex situation.
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital to keep discussing these issues, as the stakes are incredibly high for all parties involved.