President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hosted the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, and the President of the State of Palestine, President Mahmoud Abbas, at a tripartite summit held in Cairo on January 17th, 2023, to discuss the Palestinian issue, in light of the current developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the regional and international situations related to it.

The leaders emphasized the need to preserve the legitimate Palestinian rights and the continuation of their joint efforts to achieve comprehensive, just and permanent peace based on the two-state solution, which embodies the independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law, relevant international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

President El-Sisi and His Majesty King Abdullah II affirmed their full support for the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during this critical circumstance that the Palestinian cause is going through, amidst mounting regional and international challenges.

The leaders stressed the need for the international community to provide protection for the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate rights as well as consolidating efforts to find a real political approach that would re-launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution. They warned of the danger of the continued lack of a political approach and ensuing repercussions on security and stability.

They also confirmed the need to halt illegal unilateral Israeli measures that undermine the two-state solution and opportunities of achieving just and comprehensive peace. These include settlements, confiscation of Palestinian lands, demolitions of homes, the displacement of Palestinians from their homes, the continuous Israeli raids into Palestinian cities, and the violation of the historical and legal status in Jerusalem and its sanctities.

They stressed the need to preserve the historical and legal status in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities, in a way that ensures respect for the fact that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which comprises 144 dunums, is a pure place of worship for Muslims. The Administration of the Jerusalem Endowment and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, affiliated with the Ministry of Islamic Endowments, Affairs and Sacred Affairs of Jordan, is the sole authority authorized to administer the affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque and organize access to it. President El-Sisi and President Abbas also emphasized the importance of the historic Hashemite custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and its role in protecting these holy sites and their Arab, Islamic and Christian identity.

The leaders stressed the need to unify the Palestinian rank and end the division, both necessary for the Palestinian people and in their interest, given the impact on the unity of the Palestinian position and its strength in defending its cause, in addition to the need to take serious and effective measures to alleviate the deteriorating living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.  

King Abdullah II and President Abbas commended Egypt’s efforts in maintaining calm in the strip and reconstruction, reaffirming the responsibility of international donors in the reconstruction efforts in the strip. 

The leaders also stressed the importance of the continued support of the international community for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the need to provide the financial support it needs to continue to provide vital services to the Palestine refugees  according to its UN role, particularly in light of the Agency’s important humanitarian and developmental role for the benefit of the Palestinian people.

The leaders agreed to continue intensive consultation and coordination within the Egyptian- Jordanian-Palestinian  coordination framework at all levels to crystalize a vision to resume negotiations and to work with the brothers and partners to revive the peace process, in accordance with the recognised references. This is  within the framework of efforts aimed at assisting the Palestinian people obtain all their legitimate rights, mainly their right to freedom, independence and a sovereign State on its national soil, based on the two-state solution.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, The Arab Republic of Egypt.