Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, affirmed on Saturday Egypt’s full support for the Palestinian Authority and its national institutions, stressing the importance of enabling them to carry out their responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
During a telephone conversation with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Abdelatty underscored the need to preserve the unity of the Palestinian territories and support the Palestinian people’s aspirations to establish an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The two officials further probed developments in Gaza and Egyptian efforts, in co-ordination with mediators, to advance implementation of the Road Map and requirements of President Trump’s peace plan.
These include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, launching early recovery and reconstruction, enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to enter the Strip, and deploying the International Stabilisation Force to consolidate stability and create conditions for a just and comprehensive political solution.
The foreign minister condemned illegal settlement expansion and escalating settler violence and attacks against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank.
He warned of the dangers posed by the E1 settlement project, which threatens the geographical contiguity of the Palestinian territories and isolates East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
In this context, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to annex Palestinian land, displace Palestinians or alter the legal and demographic status of the occupied territories, stressing that such actions would entrench the status quo and undermine prospects for establishing a Palestinian state.
For his part, the Palestinian Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Egypt’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and its efforts to back the Palestinian Authority and defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He affirmed the continuation of close coordination and consultation with Egypt on developments in the period ahead.
