Page 31 - Issue 72

V O L .1 E L I T E ISSUE 72

From the Egyptian side, the first official Despite the political support represented in
comment by the prime minister, Moustafa participation and mediation to reach a ceasefire
Madbouly, stressed that this trade deal “will not and the absolute rejection of the displacement of
affect the Egyptian position on the Palestinian Palestinians from their lands, as this negates a
issue.” And that his country imports gas from fundamental condition for the establishment of
Cyprus to take advantage of the infrastructure, the State of Palestine, and consequently leads to
intending to transform Egypt into a regional the resolution of the issue. Additionally, there is
energy hub, emphasizing that "this does not diplomatic and moral support, whether through
affect Egypt's political decisions." He also participation in the conferences and
clarified that the agreement has been in place coordinating with international and regional
since 2019, and the conflict has been ongoing parties to support the two-state solution, or
for two years, questioning whether this through sending aid.
agreement has negatively impacted Egypt's
strong and clear position since the first day of
the aggression on Gaza.
In that case, Egypt has adopted a policy of
separating the commercial and economic path
from the political path, which exists in
international relations, and can be supported by
some opinions of consultants and economic
experts. However, the government did not
account for the public opinion, which is full of
hatred and contempt against this occupying
entity. The economic interest represented by the
What actually took place is the presitence of the
financial returns for Egypt, and the declared
economic benefits and trade deals with the
goal of turning Egypt into a regional hub for
Zionist entity instead of cutting the economic
energy, overshadowed the humanitarian and
ties despite all the political and diplomatic efforts
national responsibility towards the rights of the
to support the Palestinian cause in the best
Palestinian people. This is considered, in my
possible manner.
opinion, a clear and explicit abandonment of
Therefore, it is more appropriate for the
humanitarian principles in exchange for mere
Egyptian government to adopt a more inclusive
economic gains.
policy in all political, humanitarian, economic,
It was supposed that the Egyptian government
and even military aspects if necessary. It is
would use this deal as a form of political
unreasonable for Egypt to be one of the first and
pressure against the occupying entity to achieve
foremost supporters of the Palestinian cause
the public interest and support the Palestinian
politically, socially, and humanely, while not
people and their legitimate rights to establish a
trying to support it by severing and freezing
state and to stop the continuous Israeli
economic relations with Israel, or even by
aggression.
maintaining the minimum level of engagement
It is worth mentioning that the Egyptian stance
that ensures Egypt's national security, while at
has historically been a major supporter of the
the same time safeguarding the rights of the
Palestinian cause over the past decades.
Palestinian people that have been violated due to
However, this has become generally varied in
the policies of Israeli aggression.
this regard.
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