The Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian meeting in New Alamein City took place on 13 August to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing aggressions by Israeli occupation forces and settlers against Palestinians.
This tripartite meeting, which came after a series hosted by Egypt recently to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict confirms that the Palestinian cause is top of Egypt’s foreign agenda.
The Egyptian leadership, as a matter of historical responsibility, has always supported the Palestinians as the central issue of the Arab nation.
The meeting came as the continuation of previous regional and international efforts to end Israeli aggression, protect the interests of Palestinians, and restore the Palestinian national unity.
The political split between Palestinian factions has only exacerbated the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as it affords an opportunity for Israel to continue usurping Palestinian land and commit atrocities against Palestinians.
The tripartite meeting opens the door to intensifying international efforts to pressure Israeli occupation forces to resume peace talks and cease its aggression against Palestinians.
During the meeting, the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Palestine condemned the violation of the existing legal and historical status quo in the city of Jerusalem and its holy sites, and asserted that achieving a just peace is a strategic choice and a matter of international peace and security.
The Arab leaders also condemned the escalation of Israeli practices against the Palestinian people, which violates international law, undermines the internationally agreed upon two-state solution, and leads to the further spread of violence and chaos.
They called on Israel to stop its incursions into the occupied Western Bank cities which prevents the Palestinian Authority and security forces to carry out their duties. They also called on Israel to lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip and refrain from other practices that fuel tension and violence and threaten to ignite the situation.
The meeting eventually affirmed the importance of protecting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state within the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
It also stressed on the importance of stopping Israeli settlement activities, the confiscation of Palestinian lands, the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their homes, and the change of the character and identity of the city of Jerusalem.
The leaders also stressed the importance of Israel releasing the Palestinian money it holds without legal basis in contravention of the agreements concluded in this regard.
The messages of the Alamein meeting directed to the Israeli occupation and world powers show that the Palestinian cause remains the number one issue of the Arab nation and the Egyptian leadership’s keenness on following up the latest developments.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief of The Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail newspapers
