President El-Sisi’s Speech at a High-Level Conference in Support of Al Quds (Jerusalem)

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful”

My brother, Your Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas,
President of Palestine, and the co-chair of "Al Quds (Jerusalem) ... Resilience and Development" Conference,

My brother, Your Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein,
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,

Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League and co-chair of the conference,

Gentlemen,

I am honored and pleased to be among you today, at the League of Arab States, “The House of Arabs”. We are here to reaffirm together our support for the resilience of Al Quds (Jerusalem) , the backbone of the Palestinian cause, the beating heart of the Palestinian state, the city of peace, and the cradle of religion, whose mention evokes images of coexistence and tolerance, and images of prayers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque mixed with scenes of pilgrimage in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Resurrection), in Al Quds (Jerusalem) , where the path of Al-Isra (journey) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) blended with the path of Jesus.

Throughout history, Al Quds (Jerusalem) had been the symbol of resilience, which today's conference was named after. It is unfortunate that this resilience has become as if it is the fate of that city, as it has suffered in the past and continues to suffer in the present.

International law and pivotal United Nations resolutions granted Al Quds (Jerusalem) , like no city before, a legal status: starting with the Security Council’s affirmation that “it is impermissible to seize lands by force, and that all legislative and administrative measures taken by Israel, as an occupation force, which could change the features or status of the Holy City, have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention”, and ending with the UN Security Council’s affirmation on not recognizing any changes to the June 4, 1967 lines, including with regard to Al Quds (Jerusalem), other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.

In this context, Egypt reaffirms its unwavering position regarding the rejection and condemnation of any Israeli measures to change the existing historical and legal status of Al Quds (Jerusalem) and its sanctities. It also emphasizes the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city of Al Quds (Jerusalem), including the entire complex of Al-Aqsa Mosque, considering it a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.

Egypt warns once again of the severe consequences that may result from a violation of this or from any attempt to pre-empt or enforce a fait accompli that would negatively affect the prospects of the final status negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Honorable guests,

For more than four decades, Egypt has taken the initiative to extend the hand of peace to Israel: peace that is based on justice and on a just and comprehensive settlement that restores to the Palestinian people their legitimate rights, including the establishment of their independent state, along the borders of June 4, 1967. Here, I confirm that the capital of the state that the Palestinian people and Arab peoples accept and aspire to will remain East Al Quds (Jerusalem) .

It’s unfortunate that our meeting today takes place against the backdrop of emergency and critical conditions that the Palestinian cause is encountering. Such conditions are jeopardizing regional security and the concept of coexistence among the peoples of the region, which we sought to solidify over the past years. This is because unilateral measures and the violation of international legitimacy including settlements, demolition of houses, forced displacement, confiscation of land, the systematic judaization of Al Quds (Jerusalem) as well as illegitimate storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, are continuing. Add to this, the ongoing storming of Palestinian cities in a manner that only escalates tension on the ground and threatens the security situation. It is regrettable that all the above mentioned only obstruct the two-state solution and put the two parties and the entire Middle East before tough and dangerous choices.

Therefore, I would like to seize this opportunity to renew my call on the international community and peace partners to work together in an urgent manner to reinforce the two-state-solution and create conducive conditions for the resumption of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis. This peace process is the cornerstone for the aspirations of the peoples of the region to achieve regional security, stability and peaceful co-existence.

I urge the international actors not to give in to the political stalemate that has been accumulating over time and increasingly complicating a settlement in the future.
Egypt will continue to call for addressing the root-causes of the crisis, namely the occupation. Egypt will spare no effort to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, who suffered for a long time, and will continue to work toward this goal with the two parties of the conflict in order to revive the political trajectory. Egypt will also further its efforts to address the immediate challenges and work with all parties to calm the situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It will strengthen its efforts to support the reconstruction of the sector and call on the international community to increase their contributions to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian brothers in Gaza.

Gentlemen,

I conclude my speech with two messages. I tell the Palestinian people in all corners of the globe: “Yes, you have been suffering for long; your rights are long overdue; and the region’s crises have increased; yet your cause remains a priority for Egypt and the Arabs, and it is still the fundamental component of our joint action; an integral part in the hearts of the Arab character. Until your legitimate aspiration for the establishment of your state with East Al Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital is fulfilled, we will continue our support for your resilience in Al Quds (Jerusalem) and in all corners of Palestine.”
And to Israel’s government and people, I say:” It is time to promote a culture of peace and co-existence, even of integration, among the peoples of the region. It is for this purpose that we have extended our hands with the Arab peace initiative, what ensures achieving this in a just and comprehensive manner. So let us together put it into force and turn the page of pain for the sake of the coming generations, the Palestinians and Israelis alike.”

We thank you all,
May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you