El-Sisi reiterates Egypt rejection of any scenarios aimed at liquidating Palestinian cause at D-8 Summit’s special session

Ahram Online , Thursday 19 Dec 2024

During the special session to discuss the situation in Palestine and Lebanon on the sidelines of the 11th Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Summit, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's rejection of any scenarios aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause.

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In this handout photo released by the Egyptian presidency, heads of state and delegates pose for a group photo during the D-8 summit in Cairo on December 19, 2024.

 

In a speech at the session, El-Sisi also re-underscored the urgent need for international action to address Israeli aggression and its devastating impact on the region, criticizing “the international double standards.”

“The Israeli war on Gaza has continued for over a year, extending into our brotherly Lebanon. Meanwhile, Syria faces a blatant violation of its sovereignty, with Israel recently seizing more Syrian lands, launching attacks on Syrian territory, and unilaterally declaring the annulment of the 1974 disengagement agreement," El-Sisi said, criticizing the world's double standards, the emptying of humanitarian principles and values of their meaning, and the marginalization of the rules of international law.

“Since October 2023, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority women and children, with over 107,000 injured,” he stated, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation condemning the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, resulting in catastrophic losses.

He stated that nearly 1.9 million Palestinians had been displaced, while over 70 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure had been destroyed.

Poverty, unemployment, and hunger have reached unprecedented levels, with over 90 percent of Gaza's population facing acute food shortages.

El-Sisi condemned the targeting of international aid workers and stressed the critical role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees.

He called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and long-term solutions rooted in justice.

“The future of Gaza must include the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he affirmed, rejecting any efforts to marginalize or fragment the Palestinian cause.

Turning to Lebanon, President El-Sisi expressed grave concern over the Israeli aggression, which has claimed over 4,000 lives and displaced 1.2 million people.

 He highlighted Egypt’s solidarity with Lebanon, noting the establishment of an airbridge that delivered 92 tons of medical and relief supplies.

El-Sisi welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement in Lebanon but stressed the need for international support to fund reconstruction efforts.

“Lebanon requires at least $5 billion for rebuilding,” he stated, urging full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to restore Lebanese sovereignty and empower the Lebanese Armed Forces.

He also reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in completing constitutional milestones, including the election of a president, in line with national sovereignty and internal consensus.

He affirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Syria’s unity, stability, and territorial integrity and called for advancing a comprehensive political process inclusive of all Syrians.

President El-Sisi concluded with a broader appeal to the international community, highlighting the dangerous double standards and erosion of humanitarian principles in global responses to the region’s crises.

“Egypt will spare no effort in supporting the Arab and Islamic nations to preserve their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he declared, pledging to continue Egypt’s work to de-escalate tensions and promote peace and development in the Middle East.

Iranian president's speech
 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian commended Egypt's mediation efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and called for continued pressure on Israel to halt its attacks in Gaza and the West Bank.

President Pezeshkian described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a "crime by all measures." He accused the Israeli occupation of committing numerous violations of international and humanitarian laws, with repercussions felt worldwide.

The Iranian president emphasized the need to grant Palestinians their right to self-determination and to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.

Addressing developments in Syria, President Pezeshkian stated that the country needs a civilian government that respects its internal diversity.

Turkish president's speech
 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised the efforts of Egypt and Qatar to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza, emphasizing the importance of achieving tangible results from these efforts as soon as possible.

Erdoğan proposed imposing an international arms embargo on Israel and ending trade relations with it globally.

He revealed that Turkey has become a party to the case filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice, highlighting the importance of reaching a solution based on the two-state framework.

Regarding Lebanon and Syria, Erdoğan stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon and the fall of the Assad regime would open the door to a hopeful new phase. He stressed the need to support Lebanon in overcoming its crisis, revealing that Turkey has provided 500 tons of aid to Beirut.

Palestinian president's speech
 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the international consensus on the necessity of ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

He stated that this consensus requires adopting the political plan he recently presented at the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Speaking during the special session on Palestine and Lebanon, Abbas outlined the plan's key elements.

It begins with an immediate ceasefire, the complete withdrawal from Gaza in line with UN Resolution 2735 and granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations.

The plan also calls for preserving the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites, implementing the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion (now adopted by the UN General Assembly) to end the occupation and dismantle settlements, among other measures.

 Abbas emphasized that these steps must be achieved within one year and proposed holding an international peace conference in June 2025, as per the UN General Assembly resolution.

He stressed the need for the international community to uphold a single standard of justice and hold all international law violators accountable. Abbas accused the Israeli occupation of consistently breaching international law in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, underscoring the urgency of collective global action.

Lebanese prime minister's speech
 

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Thursday the true path to development in his country begins with Israel respecting international legitimacy and adhering to relevant laws, treaties, and resolutions, starting with international humanitarian law while exerting pressure on the occupying state that continues its destructive aggression.

Addressing D-8's special session on Lebanon and Palestine in Cairo, Mikati pointed out that over 4,000 Lebanese people have been killed, including 290 children, 790 women, and 241 healthcare and rescue workers. Additionally, more than 14,000 individuals were injured, and the Israeli aggression displaced more than one million people within hours.
According to World Bank estimates, the reconstruction would require no less than $5 billion, Mikati said.

Indonesian president's speech
 

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on Thursday to take tangible moves beyond mere condemnation to face Israeli violations in the region.

In remarks during the special session, the Indonesian president expressed his condemnation of flagrant Israeli violations of international law, calling for more cooperation among the D-8 states to offer the necessary support for Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine in the face of Israel.

He stressed that taking practical steps against Israeli violations will only take place if there is unity and cooperation among the Arab and Islamic nations.

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