File Photo: Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. AFP
FM Abdelatty wrote this in
an opinion piece, titled “A Two-State Solution Is Possible Between Palestinians and Israelis,” published by the Washington Times on Monday.
He argued that policies of occupation, targeted assassinations, military force, destruction of public infrastructure, and expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have failed to bring about lasting security or peace.
Abdelatty's call for peace aligns with Egypt’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue, justice, and stability in the region, emphasizing that a true lasting peace requires more than just political negotiations. It requires mutual recognition of dignity and sovereignty.
The foreign minister expressed deep concern over Israel’s longstanding security strategy that relies heavily on force and coercive tactics.
Israel’s war on Gaza has
killed and wounded more than 150,000 Palestinians, destroyed 85 percent of Gaza’s
public infrastructure, and displaced over 70 percent of its population, since 7 October 2023.
Despite failing to produce lasting results, Israel has consistently adhered to this doctrine, Abdelatty underscored.
Moreover, it has deepened Palestinians' despair and hindered their aspirations for self-determination, he added.
Force alone does not serve the cause of peace and security; instead, it incites feelings of vengeance and hostility, radicalizes emerging generations, and diminishes the possibility of peaceful coexistence, he wrote.
Abdelatty affirmed that repeated provocations and aggressive measures will not extinguish Palestinian national sentiments.
If such tactics had been effective, the Palestinian people would have relinquished their aspirations decades ago, he highlighted.
However, he added, history has shown their enduring resilience.
Minister Abdelatty emphasized that "without rigorously pursuing Palestinian statehood, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain locked in perpetual and vicious cycles of violence and counterviolence that will imperil both Palestinians and Israelis.”
To achieve true peace and security, it is vital to lift Palestinians from the cycle of despair and present them with a future rooted in hope and dignity, where they can govern themselves in a sovereign, independent state, he stressed.
He said: “We must collectively work against such a scenario and continue to pursue the two-state solution that offers peace and security for both peoples. That is the only viable option if we want to spare future Palestinian and Israeli generations the scourge of war and terror."
“The decisions taken today to address these crises will define the trajectory of the Middle East for decades to come,” he wrote.
Additionally, he underscored Egypt’s significant role in advancing peace in the Middle East, highlighting its position as the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel. This milestone, he noted, was only possible due to a visionary and courageous leadership that prioritized long-term peace and justice.
Generational reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis is indeed achievable but can only be realized when both peoples can enjoy dignity and independence, each in their state, Abdelatty concluded.
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