Topic: The Situation in Israel/Palestine
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Maya Radhakrishnan
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Egypt position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Egypt believes that two-state solution is the only just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even recently, Egypt has expressed its investment in achieving peace between Israel and Palestine; in mid-September of 2017, our President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the matter. Egypt believes that both sides should strive for coexistence, which includes both safety for Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Egypt does not deem these events to be mutually exclusive.
In the past, Egypt had difficulties with Israel; however, the two countries have enjoyed peace and cooperation for nearly 40 years. In our experience, Egypt has found Israel to be compromising and practical. For example, despite an initial agreement for both parties to remain relatively detached from the Sinai Peninsula, Israel has allowed Egyptian military forces to enter the region in order to combat recent surges of terrorism by groups like ISIL or ISIS. Egypt believes that if Israel and ourselves could become such allies, then there is hope for all other countries, including Palestine. As President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in his General Assembly address, “Egypt's experience validates that peace is possible, and is indeed a realistic objective that we should all continue seriously pursuing.”
In regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Egypt further believes that “establishing an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital” should be the first step in any peace process. Egypt has also been deeply involved in the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation process, which is one of the main challenges in unifying Palestine and creating a single Palestinian Authority. In fact, Egypt has hosted and participated in many of the talks between the two factions. Egypt considers these internal discussions to be a crucial step to reopening discussions between Israel and Palestine.
Finally, Egypt believes that Palestine must cease all illegal activities before any accord can be reached. This includes terrorism, especially towards Israeli citizens, and the use of Gazan smuggling tunnels. The Gazan smuggling tunnels lead directly to Egypt and are a constant source of worry; these tunnels provide easy transport for guns, explosives, and terrorists alike. Additionally, Egypt thinks that a suspension of all criminal activities will show good faith on the part of Palestine and allow it to be more well-received internationally.
Egypt believes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is solvable—incredibly complex and difficult, but absolutely solvable. In the words of our President, “It is time for a comprehensive and final settlement to the longest outstanding crisis in the Arab region, . . .the Palestinian cause.”
Works Cited
Beauchamp, Zack. “How Are Other Middle Eastern Countries Handling the Conflict?” Vox, 31 Mar. 2014, www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine/egypt-jordan-lebanon-syria.
Keinon, Herb. “Sisi Tells Netanyahu He Wants to Help Broker Peace.” The Jerusalem Post , The Jerusalem Post , 19 Sept. 2017, www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/Sisi-tells-Netanyahu-he-wants-to-assist- Israel-Palestinian-peace-efforts-505502.
Nichols, Michelle, and Yara Bayoumy; “Egypt's Sisi Urges Palestinians to Unite, Co-Exist with Israelis.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 19 Sept. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-egypt/egypts-sisi-urges-palestinians-to-unite-co-exist-with-israelis-idUSKCN1BU2TO.
Olmert, Josef. “Egypt, Israel and the Palestinians.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Nov. 2014, www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-josef-olmert/egypt-israel-and-the-pale_b_6220928.html.
Reuters , and JPost Staff. “Hamas: Ready for Talks with Fatah, to Hold Elections in Gaza.” The Jerusalem Post, The Jerusalem Post , 17 Sept. 2017, www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Hamas-ready-for-talks-with-Fatah-to-hold-elections-505280.
Reuters, and ABC . “Palestinian Factions Hamas and Fatah Sign Reconciliation Deal.” ABC News, 12 Oct. 2017, www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-13/palestinian-rivals-fatah-hamas-sign-reconciliation-accord/9045694.
“Sisi Urges Palestinians to Unite and Coexist with Israel.” Middle East Eye, 20 Sept. 2017, www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-sisi-urges-palestinians-unite-co-exist-israel-545595905.
Tahhan, Zena. “Egypt-Israel Relations 'at Highest Level' in History.” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 20 Sept. 2017, www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/11/egypt-israel-relations-highest-level-history-161107083926863.html.
