Egypt's FM Sameh Shoukry in a ministerial meeting in Brussels that included several foreign ministers from Arab countries and the European Union aiming to discuss ways to support Palestine. Photo : Egyptian Foreign Ministry
In a ministerial meeting that included several foreign ministers from Arab countries and the European Union, Shoukry highlighted the importance of providing the necessary support to the Palestinian Authority to continue fulfilling its duties.
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the meeting between the Arab and European ministers focused on the developments in the Palestinian issue and related efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and prevent the situation from deteriorating in the West Bank.
The ministers emphasized the necessity of ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by achieving a ceasefire, ensuring the full and safe entry of aid, and opening all land crossings between Israel and Gaza to increase the flow of assistance.
During the meeting, Shoukry stressed the need for Israel to release the withheld tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority. He also underscored the need to stop Israeli settlers' attacks in the West Bank.
Moreover, Shoukry voiced Egypt's firm rejection of Israel's unilateral and illegal annexation of land or building new settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
He also discussed the severe humanitarian risks posed by Israel's ongoing military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah, warning of the consequences of such operations for peace and stability in the region.
In addition, Shoukry called on Israel to comply with its obligations as the occupying power, to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, end military operations in Rafah, and open all crossings with Gaza to allow the entry of aid.
He also emphasized the need to provide safe conditions for international relief teams to receive and distribute aid throughout the Gaza Strip, stressing that Israel bears full responsibility for the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
"International support for Palestine cannot be complete without addressing the root causes of the crisis by ending the long-term Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and stopping Israeli practices that violate international law in all occupied Palestinian territories," Shoukry added.
These actions, he said, undermine international efforts to implement the two-state solution and raise questions about whether Israel can be considered a partner for peace.
In conclusion, Shoukry urged international parties to prioritize the path of peace, uphold the values of justice and fairness, and take practical measures to change the current situation by working towards implementing the two-state solution. He also affirmed that these parties risk facing the severe consequences of the collapse of this solution.
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