Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for the urgent revival of the two-state solution as the most viable pathway to ending the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His comments came in a message to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a day recognized globally for advocating Palestinian rights.
In his statement, Sisi emphasized Egypt’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The crisis, exacerbated by Israeli military actions, has drawn widespread international condemnation. Sisi decried the failure of the international community to intervene and prevent the escalating violence, which has left thousands of Palestinians dead and displaced.
“The root causes of this conflict must be addressed by reviving the two-state solution, in accordance with long-established international resolutions,” Sisi asserted. He reiterated the call for a renewed global effort to bring an end to the Israeli occupation and facilitate the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of preserving their rights and rejecting any attempts to undermine their cause or forcibly displace them from their land.
The two-state solution has long been endorsed by the international community, yet it faces strong opposition from Israel’s current government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who regards the proposal as a threat to Israel’s security. This stance has drawn criticism from key international actors, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the European Union, both of whom have called on Israel to reconsider its position.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed annually on November 29, marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ 1947 General Assembly Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states. The day serves as a reminder of the unresolved Palestinian struggle for self-determination and the ongoing quest for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Since the onset of Israeli military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas incursion, reports indicate that over 44,000 Palestinians have been killed. In response to allegations of war crimes, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, Israel faces charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.