Foreign Ministry spokesperson to MENA: Talking about Egypt’s declining role in Palestinian cause “absurd claim” – Egypt Independent

CAIRO, Aug 24 ( MENA) – The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, said Sunday that the systematic campaign aimed at diminishing Egypt’s supportive role in Gaza is a “desperate campaign” intended to distort Egypt’s support for the Palestinian cause.

In an interview with MENA, Khallaf stressed that such attempts aimed at diverting attention from Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian territories toward Egypt. He described allegations on Egyptian inaction or negligence as an “absurd claim” and far from reality.

The spokesman stated that the narrative of Egypt’s declining role in the Palestinian issue represents “political nonsense” and a clear lack of understanding of the complexity of the Palestinian cause and the influential parties involved.

Regarding claims that Egypt’s role in the Palestinian file is waning in favor of other regional actors — and whether Cairo believes there are deliberate attempts to exclude it from managing the issue — Khallaf clarified that Egypt does not react sensitively to the emergence of other players in the Palestinian file. Rather, it views them as supportive and complementary roles to Egypt’s efforts, not as a diminution.

Ambassador Khallaf pointed out that experts in this domain understand well that Egypt’s role in the Palestinian issue is unique, historical, and irreplaceable due to several factors — including geographical, cultural, and emotional ties between the Egyptian and Palestinian peoples. Egypt also possesses institutional memory and deep historical understanding of the Palestinian cause, possibly unmatched in the region, he said.

Khallaf stressed that the Palestinian cause is firmly rooted in the Egyptian people’s conscience and continues to stir their emotions. It remains a central theme in Egyptian foreign policy, being a humanitarian and moral issue before a political or security one. He confirmed that Egypt has always and continues to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and will persist until the establishment of a Palestinian state on the ground.

He added, “It is mistaken to believe that with time and successive generations, the Palestinian issue will fade away.” On the contrary, events over the past 18 months have proven that the Palestinian cause remains vibrant and alive across the globe, particularly among younger generations striving for justice.

On Egypt’s mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and to stop the starvation war in the territory, the spokesperson said that Egypt continues to mediate to secure a ceasefire, enhance the entry of humanitarian aid, and facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners, in cooperation with Qatar.

He explained that negotiations have seen ups and downs since Israel failed to implement the ceasefire agreement reached in January. Egypt hopes the negotiation track will see a breakthrough that leads to an agreement, which only lacks the necessary political will from Israel, said Ambassador Khallaf.

He stressed, “The ball is now in Israel’s court after the Egyptian-Qatari proposal was presented,” expressing hope that Israel would respond positively. The proposed agreement includes a 60-day ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into Gaza, and the exchange of a number of hostages and prisoners.

Regarding the systematic campaign undermining Egypt’s role in Gaza — including the latest example of a small, misleading protest outside Egyptian embassies and claims surrounding the Rafah crossing and aid access — Ambassador Khallaf described the claim as a “desperate campaign” aimed at distorting Egypt’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. He emphasized that such efforts serve to shift the spotlight away from Israel’s violations and instead place undue focus on Egypt, which remains the most significant supporter of the Palestinian cause and has made great sacrifices for it.

He noted that Egypt has provided 70 percent of all humanitarian and relief aid that entered Gaza since the start of the war, hosted an international ministerial conference on humanitarian response in December 2024 with more than 100 participating delegations, and received large numbers of wounded and sick Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals.

He added that Egypt has prepared a comprehensive plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza to thwart displacement plans and has successfully rallied the support of a vast majority of states. Egypt also plans to host an international conference to raise the necessary funding for implementation. Therefore, “any suggestion that Egypt is negligent in its role is nothing but a farce, detached from reality.”

On Egypt’s continued efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza despite the absence of a ceasefire and the pressures exerted, the spokesperson confirmed that Egyptian efforts have led to the delivery of 550,000 tons of aid, 1,022 aid planes arriving at El Arish Airport, and thousands of injured Palestinians treated in 172 Egyptian hospitals.

Regarding preparations to host the early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza, he said that arrangements are underway, in partnership with international actors, to implement the Arab Plan for Early Recovery and Reconstruction, contributing to recovery efforts while ensuring the Palestinian presence on their land.

On the recent wave of European recognition of the State of Palestine and Egypt’s role in promoting broader international recognition, the spokesperson described the development as historic and a critical step toward legitimizing a Palestinian state. He encouraged all states that have yet to recognize Palestine to take this essential step.

He noted that Egyptian diplomacy has been very active, playing a key role in encouraging European countries to move toward recognition. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Egypt significantly influenced France’s stance on recognizing Palestine. Egyptian diplomacy and outreach to Europe have led to announcements by Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia last year, and upcoming recognitions by France, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Malta expected by September.

He added, “History will record that under the most anti-Palestinian Israeli government, the largest wave of recognition by influential Western countries occurred” — a practical testament to growing support for Palestine and rejection of Israeli obstructionist policies.

On Egypt-EU relations, Khallaf confirmed a marked improvement recently, culminating in upgrading ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024. Both sides are committed to activating all axes of this partnership, including political coordination, investment and trade promotion, water and migration issues, security, and human development.

He cited the upgrading of relations to strategic partnerships with France, Greece, Denmark, Spain, and the UK, adding that the EU is one of Egypt’s most important economic partners. In the coming period, more European investments are expected in Egypt, especially with trade volume increasing from €23 billion in 2014 to €32.5 billion in 2024.

Khallaf emphasized that this strategic partnership is moving in the right direction and reflects shared interests, particularly in energy security, combating terrorism, curbing illegal migration, and deepening economic and investment cooperation.

Regarding Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty’s recent visit to Washington and Egypt’s view of its strategic partnership with the US amid current challenges, the spokesperson said the partnership remains vital and necessary. He stressed the importance of working together to develop and deepen it across new sectors that can elevate bilateral cooperation.

He noted that regular interaction with the US administration and Congress is essential, given the region’s unprecedented challenges, and to share Egypt’s perspectives on regional developments. Khallaf also affirmed that Washington values Egypt’s historic standing, institutional expertise, and deep understanding of regional dynamics.

On the growing economic cooperation with Africa, Khallaf stated that Africa has always been a central pillar of Egyptian foreign policy. However, the current period is one of the most active and dynamic in terms of African engagement.

He noted that Abdelatty has made 21 official visits to African countries over the past year. His recent West Africa tour was a milestone, not only in strengthening political ties but also economic, trade, and investment relations.

The foreign minister was accompanied by 30 business leaders and representatives from public and private Egyptian companies in sectors including construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mining, and energy. Business forums were held in each of the five countries visited, facilitating direct B2B engagement.

Khallaf highlighted that the Foreign Minister has established a new tradition of taking business delegations on African visits, representing practical economic diplomacy that supports the national economy.

He stressed that this recent tour marks a strategic turning point in Egypt-Africa relations, conveying political, economic, and humanitarian messages and reaffirming Egypt’s firm commitment to the continent and its goal to be a reliable development partner.

Asked whether Egypt’s economic engagement represents a new form of soft power in Africa, he said Egypt place development and economic cooperation at the forefront of its Africa policy. This is reflected in the intensified visits and in the roles of key institutions like the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, the Export Credit Guarantee Co. of Egypt, and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.

He affirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening ties and expanding cooperation across all fields with African nations.

On Libya, and whether Egypt still bets on a political solution amid the current stalemate and institutional divisions — and in light of rumored moves to divide the country or impose new realities — the spokesperson reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for a political and diplomatic resolution to the Libyan crisis, rooted in national security considerations.

Since the launch of the Cairo Declaration in June 2020, Egypt has intensified efforts to resolve the Libyan conflict via multiple tracks and active regional and international roles.

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesman reaffirmed Egypt’s position in favor of Libya’s unity and territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts to divide the country or impose foreign agendas contrary to the Libyan people’s will. (MENA)