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 might Egypt’s criticism of Israeli officials influence other Arab nations’ positions in the Middle Eastern diplomatic landscape?
**Interview with Dr. Layla Hassan, Middle Eastern Affairs Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Hassan. Egypt’s recent statement has brought to light significant concerns regarding Israeli government officials’ remarks. Could you elaborate on the implications of Smotrich’s statements as interpreted by Egypt?
**Dr. Hassan:** Absolutely. Egypt considers Smotrich’s remarks as not just inflammatory but as a stark violation of international principles. This underscores a broader concern within the Arab world about Israel’s commitment to peace. When a high-ranking official makes statements that deny the validity of international law, it raises alarms about the potential for further escalation of tensions in the region.
**Editor:** The Egyptian Foreign Ministry characterized these statements as “irresponsible” and reflective of a refusal to seek peace. What does this suggest about the current state of Israeli and Palestinian relations?
**Dr. Hassan:** This point explicitly indicates that Egypt perceives a lack of serious commitment from Israel to engage in peace talks. It suggests that there’s an absence of political will on the Israeli side to make the necessary sacrifices for peace. This kind of rhetoric may deter potential partners for dialogue, further solidifying divisions.
**Editor:** In light of the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, how might this affect Egypt’s role and stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
**Dr. Hassan:** Egypt has historically positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict. However, statements such as those from Smotrich create challenges for Egypt’s diplomatic efforts. It places Egypt in a position where it must strongly advocate for adherence to international law while simultaneously navigating the complex political landscape of both Israeli and Palestinian demands.
**Editor:** what can we expect in terms of reactions from other Arab nations or international bodies regarding these developments?
**Dr. Hassan:** The initial reactions from Egypt may be echoed by other Arab nations who share similar sentiments about the direction of Israeli policies. International bodies, particularly those invested in peace and stability in the region, may pressure Israel to reconsider such statements and advocate for dialogue. However, this situation remains delicate, and any actions will require careful diplomacy to avoid further aggravation.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Hassan, for your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Hassan:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue to discuss and analyze these developments critically.