El-Sisi met with Palestinian president and Jordanian king on Israel-Palestine dispute

Summit in Cairo with an eye on Palestine

photo_camera AFP/ KHALED DESOUKI - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks during a press conference

While all eyes are focused on what is happening in Kabul, Palestinians and Israelis remain embroiled in one of the most complex historical conflicts in the world. The dispute over the territory in which the Palestinians are located remains a headache for the entire region. For this reason, neighbouring states are working to calm the situation between the two sides to at least ensure the safety of the millions who have been suffering for years from the constant Israeli-Palestinian attacks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen and Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein at the Federal Palace on Thursday. According to a communiqué issued by the Egyptian presidency, the three first met privately and then with the delegations of the three countries. The main objective of the talks was to coordinate positions and visions on a number of issues related to the Palestinian conflict, which represent a fundamental pillar of stability in the region and are a priority for all Arab countries.

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Al-Sisi conveyed to the other two leaders Egypt's intention to serve as a support to both countries because of their long-standing and historic ties. Recent developments, especially with regard to the peace process and ways to stabilise the truce following the escalation of violence in the Palestinian territories last May, were taken into account. In this context, a review was carried out of the existing alternatives for resuming peace agreements, stabilising and reconstructing the Gaza Strip.

What was clear to the leaders of the three countries was that for Palestine to regain its strength in the conflict, the unity of all its ranks is essential. Ending the division that has long separated the West Bank is vital to Palestinian aspirations. Especially at a time when tension in the region continues to rise as the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan's capital continues to cascade.

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For their part, the Palestinian and Jordanian leaders thanked the Egyptian president for the initiative to hold this important summit, which comes at a vital time in the wake of recent events, praising Egypt's sincere and tireless efforts for the Palestinian cause. Indeed, important efforts are being made from Cairo on a number of tracks on the Palestinian-Israeli file, including the stabilisation of the truce in the Gaza Strip and the effort to conclude a prisoner exchange agreement, in addition, of course, to efforts to resume Palestinian-Israeli political negotiations.

However, this is clearly not an easy task given that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have been deadlocked since April 2014. The treaties signed by Israel with other countries in the region are small steps that in no case have made any significant progress towards peace between the two sides, let alone in the interests of Palestine. This is why this summit is so important for the near future. The Jordanian king was the first to make a statement after the meeting, assuring that "Jordan will continue to make every effort to preserve the legal and historical status quo in the city of Jerusalem and to protect and care for the Islamic and Christian holy sites there", ensuring the unity and support of all Jordanian people.

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