Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt reaffirms commitment to two-state solution at high-level conference on Palestine
New York – Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, participated on Monday in the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Dr. Abdel Aaty delivered Egypt’s address, emphasizing the urgent need to create a credible political horizon and to launch a meaningful negotiation process. He called for a just and comprehensive peace by implementing the two-state solution and ending the Israeli occupation of Arab territories.
The minister specifically demanded that Israel withdraw from lands occupied since June 4, 1967, halt unilateral actions—particularly settlement expansion—and respect international law and Security Council resolutions, including 242, 252, 267, 446, and 2334.
Dr. Abdel Aaty also outlined several immediate steps needed to de-escalate the crisis:
- An end to the military assault on Gaza
- A complete ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners
- Empowerment of the United Nations and UNRWA to carry out their mandates in Gaza
- Unhindered humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza
- Support for the Palestinian Authority, including its return to the Gaza Strip to ensure Palestinian unity
He called on the international community to back the Arab-Islamic early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza, providing necessary resources so that Gaza can become livable once again.
Addressing the grave humanitarian disaster in Gaza, Dr. Abdel Aaty urged world leaders to coordinate their positions to address the ongoing crisis and its root causes by reviving the two-state solution as the only way to end the conflict and ensure lasting regional security.
He underscored the importance of empowering the Palestinian Authority to operate effectively in both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward resuming political negotiations, affirming that recognition of the State of Palestine is an indisputable right for the Palestinian people and essential to their right to self-determination.
Egypt, co-chairing the fifth working group on humanitarian action and reconstruction in partnership with the United Kingdom, reiterated its commitment to alleviate suffering in the occupied territories—a critical foundation for establishing a Palestinian state. Dr. Abdel Aaty denounced violations of Palestinian rights and stressed Egypt’s absolute rejection of any forced displacement or plans to annex the West Bank, warning that such measures threaten prospects for a fair resolution.
The Minister highlighted Egypt’s leading humanitarian role, facilitating the delivery of vital aid into Gaza and continuing to support UNRWA’s operations throughout Palestinian territories. He also announced Egypt's intent to cooperate with international partners to convene an early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza once a ceasefire is achieved, translating the Arab-Islamic plan into immediate action and thereby alleviating suffering on the ground.
Finally, Minister Abdel Aaty reaffirmed Egypt’s continued support in training Palestinian security forces, aimed at helping them enforce the rule of law across Gaza and the West Bank—an essential step in creating the conditions necessary for a contiguous, viable Palestinian state.