Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Hussein Al Sheikh, Vice President of the State of Palestine, late on Saturday as part of ongoing coordination on developments in the Palestinian territories.
The call focused on the dangerous escalation in the West Bank. Abdelatty condemned Israel’s expansion of settlement activities, rising settler violence and continued violations in East Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
He reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of the proposed Israeli settlement project in the E1 area, warning that it would divide the West Bank, encircle and isolate East Jerusalem, and undermine prospects for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The two officials also discussed ongoing efforts to fulfil the commitments of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan in line with the roadmap and to move towards its second phase.
These efforts include ensuring the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to carry out its duties from within the Strip.
Both sides stressed the importance of preserving the unity of the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and empowering the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities.
Al Sheikh, for his part, lauded Egypt’s continued support for the Palestinian cause and its efforts to uphold the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultations between the two sides in the coming period.
