Egyptian Prime Minister: Middle East Peace Contingent on Ending Occupation and Palestinian State

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed that achieving peace in the Middle East hinges on a political settlement ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This came during his participation in the 81st session meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, by assignment from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Madbouly emphasized Egypt's categorical rejection of annexing Palestinian lands or displacing its people, underscoring the necessity of preserving the unity and cohesion of Palestinian territories. He clarified that the foundations of the two-state solution face unprecedented challenges due to continuous Israeli settlement expansion and land seizure, coupled with escalating settler violence in the West Bank. He also pointed to attempts to alter the historical and legal status of East Jerusalem. The Egyptian Prime Minister also stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority and maintaining its capacity to fulfill its responsibilities, leading to the restoration of its role in the Gaza Strip, thereby preserving the unity of Palestinian land and institutions. He further noted the importance of fully implementing US President Donald Trump's plan, which includes respecting the ceasefire, facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid, alongside Israeli withdrawal, arms containment, deploying an international stabilization force, enabling the National Committee for Gaza administration, and commencing the reconstruction process. Madbouly welcomed the steps taken by Britain, France, Canada, and other countries to address settlement activities that Egypt described as illegal in the occupied Palestinian territories.