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 the implications of Bezalel Smotrich’s statements for Israeli-Palestinian relations?
**Interview with Dr. Amina El-Sayed, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. El-Sayed. Recently, Egypt has condemned statements made by Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich as a violation of international law and Security Council resolutions. Can you provide some context on this situation?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Thank you for having me. The recent remarks made by Smotrich have sparked significant backlash, particularly from Egypt and other Arab nations. His statements are seen as a reflection of Israel’s ongoing rejection of peace initiatives and a troubling indicator of extremism within the Israeli government. This is particularly concerning given the delicate state of Israeli-Palestinian relations.
**Editor:** What does Egypt’s response reveal about its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Egypt’s strong response demonstrates its commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and upholding international law. It also signals their frustration with what they view as a lack of genuine effort from the Israeli side to pursue peace. Egypt has historically played a mediating role in the conflict, and such statements undermine that progress.
**Editor:** The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned a lack of an Israeli partner capable of making courageous decisions for peace. What does this imply for future negotiations?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** This statement suggests a deep skepticism regarding the current Israeli government’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. It indicates that any future negotiations may be stalled or challenged by this atmosphere of extremism. For effective diplomacy to occur, there needs to be a willingness on both sides to make difficult compromises.
**Editor:** How do you foresee the international community reacting to these developments?
**Dr. El-Sayed:** The international community will likely maintain a close watch on the rhetoric and actions stemming from the Israeli government. Countries that advocate for a two-state solution might increase pressure on Israel to adhere to international laws and focus on peace-building efforts. However, geopolitical interests often complicate these responses, leading to a patchwork of support and condemnation.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. El-Sayed, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. El-Sayed:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep the conversation going on such a vital topic.
