Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its deep condemnation of the Israeli authorities following their storming of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and attack on locals and worshippers.
The ministry affirmed the need for the Israeli authorities to assume their responsibilities in accordance with the international law. This would also see them provide the necessary protection for Palestinian civilians and their right to practice religious rites.
It called for the halt of any practices that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque area and the holy month of Ramadan, or the Arab, Islamic, and Christian identities of the city of Jerusalem, and that change the existing historical and legal situation.
In a statement on Friday, Ahmed Hafez, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted Egypt’s complete rejection of any illegal practices aimed at undermining the legitimate and inalienable rights of the brotherly Palestinian people.
He referred to the continued settlement policy in the Palestinian lands, through building new settlements, expanding existing ones, confiscating lands, or displacing Palestinians.
This represents a violation of international law, undermines the chances of reaching a two-state solution, and threatens the pillars of security and stability in the region.
In this context, Hafez condemned the current Israeli efforts to displace Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.
This represents a violation of international legitimacy and humanitarian law, and reflects a continued policy of forced displacement of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, the Arab League will hold an extraordinary session at the permanent delegates level, on Monday, which will be chaired by current President Qatar.
The session comes at the request of Palestine, and has received support from Jordan, Yemen, and Qatar.
The meeting aims to discuss the Israeli attacks against Jerusalem, as well as Islamic and Christian areas of worship, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It will additionally address the Israeli attacks and plans to seize the homes of Jerusalem residents, especially in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. This is seen as an attempt to empty the Holy City of its residents and displace its people.
Palestine’s Ambassador to Cairo and its permanent representative to the Arab League, Diab Al-Louh, said that the urgent meeting will discuss the seriousness of the brutal attacks on worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
These have come as part of a systematic Israeli policy to make Jerusalem Jewish, and change the existing legal and historical status of the city and its holy sites.
