Final Statement of the Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian Summit

1. His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, hosted a tripartite summit that included the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and the President of the State of Palestine, His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, in El Alamein on August 14, 2023, to discuss developments pertinent to the Palestinian issue, in light of the current developments in the occupied land of the State of Palestine, and the related regional and international situation.

2. The leaders emphasized the priority that the three countries attach to international and Arab legal references to settling the Palestinian issue, primarily the need to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, within a clear timetable, and for the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and the embodiment of their independent and sovereign state, along the borders of  June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as resolving the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with the international resolutions, and achieving the two-state solution according to ratified references.

3. His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein confirmed their full support for the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to continue defending the interests of the Palestinian people at all levels in order to regain their rights and secure international protection, as well as support the State of Palestine in its efforts to secure services and protect the basic rights of citizens, in light of the difficult circumstances and challenges, the repeated aggression and the unfortunate incidents taking place in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, and in the midst of the growing regional and international challenges. 

 4. The leaders emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue and achieving just and comprehensive peace is a strategic choice, a regional and international necessity, and a matter of international peace and security. They stressed that the only way to achieve this peace is by implementing the relevant United Nations and Security Council resolutions, to enable the Palestinian people with their inalienable rights, to end the Israeli occupation, and to embody the independent and sovereign State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve the two-state solution based on the rules of international law, the agreed terms of reference, and the Arab peace initiative.

5. The leaders stressed that Israel must implement its commitments and pledges in accordance with international law, international humanitarian law, and previous international agreements and understandings, including those concluded with the Palestinian side, as well as the multiple previous commitments, including the outcomes of Aqaba and Sharm al-Sheikh meetings, and assume its responsibilities, halt its attacks, and calm the situation on the ground as a prelude to reviving peace negotiations.

6. In this context, the leaders stressed the need for Israel to respect its commitments, being the occupying force in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and to stop its incursions into the cities of the occupied West Bank, which undermine the ability of the Palestinian government and security to carry out their duties, and lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, among other practices that fuel tension and violence and threaten to inflame the situation. The leaders also stressed the importance of Israel releasing the Palestinian funds it holds without legal basis, in contravention of the agreements concluded in this regard.

7. The leaders condemned the continuation and escalation of illegal Israeli practices that undermine the rights of all Palestinian people, violate the rules of international law, undermine the internationally agreed upon two-state solution, which lead to igniting violence and spreading chaos. They also expressed the importance of Israel, being the occupying force, to stop all settlement activities, the confiscation of Palestinian lands, the forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their homes, and the change of the character and identity of the city of Jerusalem, which represents a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council international resolutions. The leaders also stressed the need to stop the terrorism of settlers and extremist movements, and to hold them accountable.

8. The leaders condemned the violation of the legal and historical status quo in the city of Jerusalem and its sanctities, and demanded an end to the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif). His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and its role in preserving its Arab, Islamic and Christian identity. The leaders affirmed that tAl-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif) with its entire area of ​​144 dunums, is a strict place of worship for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated to the Jordanian Ministry Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites is the authority that has the exclusive jurisdiction to manage all the affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Qudsi Al-Sharif) and organize access to it. The leaders also expressed their complete rejection of any attempts to divide Al-Aqsa Mosque, temporally or spatially.

9. The leaders expressed their intention to continue their efforts with the main international players and parties interested in peace to revive a serious and meaningful peace process based on the rules of international law and the terms of reference for the peace process, within a clear mechanism and specific timetable. In this context, they called on the international community to support those efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace that the region and all its peoples deserve, and to lift the injustice against the Palestinian people, which contradicts international law based on the consolidation of human rights.

10. The leaders stressed their adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative with all its elements, which is based on international law and international constants, and represents the most comprehensive proposal for achieving just peace and meeting the aspirations of all the peoples of the region for a stable future where coexistence, development and cooperation prevail among all its peoples and countries.

11. His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the importance of the role of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Arab Republic of Egypt in uniting the Palestinian ranks and ending division, which is considered an interest and necessity for the Palestinian people, because of its impact on the unity of its position and its firmness in defending its cause. They stressed the need to build on the meeting of general secretaries of the Palestinian factions, that Egypt recently hosted, at the invitation of His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, for Palestinian reunification, in the city of Alamein on July 30, 2023.

12. The leaders stressed the importance of the international community to continue supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the need to stand by the Agency and support it in its current financial crisis, in order to provide the financial support it needs to continue providing vital services to the Palestinian refugees in accordance with its UN mandate until enabling refugees from their right to return based on Resolution 194.

13. The leaders agreed to continue intensive consultation and coordination within the framework of the tripartite coordination formula at all levels in order to formulate frameworks to activate international efforts aimed at realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including through the resumption of negotiations, and work with brothers and partners to revive the peace process, in a manner that guarantees the end of the Israeli occupation and the achievement of just and comprehensive peace in accordance with international law and approved and agreed upon international references.