Egypt considered Smotrich‘s statements a blatant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and all relevant Security Council resolutions, in addition to the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The Arab Republic of Egypt affirms that these irresponsible and extremist statements from a member of the Israeli government clearly reflect the Israeli tendency to refuse to adopt the peace option in the region, the absence of an Israeli partner capable of making courageous decisions to bring about peace, and the existence of an insistence on adopting a policy of arrogance, which is the same policy.” Which brought the region into the current cycle of conflict.”
The statement added that these “extremist” statements are in stark contrast to the position of the international community calling for ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt stressed its rejection of these “reprehensible” statements that fuel extremism and violence, stressing the international responsibility to protect the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most importantly their right to self-determination, which is the only and practical solution to end the conflict in the region and break out of the cycle of violence and destruction, warning against continuing the escalation approach. And extremism aims to prolong, inflame and expand the conflict.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed during a meeting in the Knesset the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, considering it an opportunity to annex the West Bank to Israel.
Smotrich considered that “the year 2025 will be the year of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), noting that “instructions have been issued to the Settlement Directorate in the Ministry of Security and the Civil Administration to begin work on preparing the infrastructure required to impose sovereignty.”
Smotrich added, “There is now a broad consensus in the coalition and the opposition from all parts of the Knesset to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state that would pose a threat to the existence of Israel.”
Source: RT
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What are Dr. Hana El-Sayed’s insights on the significance of Egypt’s response to Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks?
**Interview with Dr. Hana El-Sayed, Middle East Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. El-Sayed. Recently, Egypt condemned Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks regarding the Israeli occupation. How significant is Egypt’s response in this context?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Thank you for having me. Egypt’s response is quite significant as it underscores the broader Arab perspective on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By declaring Smotrich’s statements a blatant violation of international law, Egypt is reinforcing the need for international accountability and highlighting the stagnation in peace efforts.
**Editor:** The statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests that there is an absence of an Israeli partner ready to pursue peace. Can you elaborate on this dynamic?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Certainly. The lack of a credible partner for peace in Israel is a critical element of the current impasse. Statements that deny the legitimacy of Palestinian rights only deepen mistrust and diminish hopes for negotiations. Egypt’s assertion points to the urgency for a shift in Israeli political dialogue if any meaningful progress is to be made toward peace.
**Editor:** What implications might this have for the Arab-Israeli relations moving forward?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** This situation could exacerbate tensions not only between Israel and the Palestinians but also within the broader Arab community. If extremist views gain prominence and go unchecked, we might see a hardening of attitudes among Arab nations which could complicate diplomatic efforts. Alternatively, it could also lead to a unified Arab stance against such provocations, rallying consensus around Palestinian rights.
**Editor:** Lastly, what role do you see international bodies, like the International Court of Justice, playing in resolving these disputes?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** International bodies have a crucial role in upholding international law and providing a framework for accountability. The advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice serves as a reminder of existing legal frameworks that should guide the conflict. However, the effectiveness of these institutions often hinges on the political will of member states to act on their recommendations, which has been lacking in recent years.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. El-Sayed, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. El-Sayed:** My pleasure, thank you for having me.
