Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdel-Ati participated in the ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue and the implementation of a two-state solution held in Spain, Madrid on Friday.
The spokesperson for the ministry, Tamim Khallaf said that Abdel-Ati expressed his appreciation during the meeting for the recent recognition of the Palestinian state by Spain, Norway, Ireland and Slovenia, which practically contributes to defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination.
Abdel-Ati addressed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip and the Israel’s daily violations of international humanitarian law, including the targeting of Palestinian civilians.
He expressed Egypt’s support for all efforts aimed at ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip, stressing that it is time for the international community to undertake its efforts to stop hostilities and ensure full respect for international law and the entry of humanitarian aid without obstacles.
The Foreign Minister expressed Egypt’s rejection of the Israel’s military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, and the resulting decrease in the rate of aid entry into Gaza Strip.
Israel uses hunger as a weapon against the Palestinians, the minister noted, adding that it refuses to fully operate its crossings into Gaza in to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid despite its legal obligations as an occupying power.
The minister stressed that Israel’s military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor has political objectives, as it aims to prevent the return of the legitimate Palestinian Authority to Gaza, and undermine the mediation efforts undertaken by Egypt, Qatar and the US to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners and detainees.
Abdel-Ati also stressed Egypt’s determination to continue engaging with the international community to implement the two-state solution based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
He stressed that recognition of this state and its full membership in the United Nations are a major step towards achieving this goal, and that its recognition is a right of the Palestinian people and a duty of the international community.
