Egypt’s envoy to Brussels accuses West of pro-Israel bias

BRUSSELS — Egypt’s envoy to Brussels slammed the West’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing it of getting a pro-Israel bias that he says is damaging its fame within the Center East.

In an interview in his Brussels residence, Cairo’s prime diplomat within the EU capital, Badr Abdelatty, additionally careworn his nation won’t settle for Palestinian refugees fleeing from Gaza.

“We won’t permit the liquidation of the Palestinian trigger and to have one other Nakba [or “catastrophe” in Arabic, referring to the mass uprooting of Palestinians in the war over Israel’s creation in 1948] on the expense of the neighboring nations, whether or not it’s Jordan or Egypt,” Abdelatty instructed POLITICO.

After Hamas killed greater than 1,400 folks on October 7, Israel launched airstrikes and, lately, floor operations throughout Gaza, killing greater than 8,500 folks, together with 1000’s of kids, based on the Hamas-run Ministry of Well being. Israel has rejected requires a cease-fire and U.S. President Joe Biden has mentioned he won’t name for a cease-fire and he helps Israel’s proper to defend itself.

Egypt performs a key function within the battle between Israel and Hamas, because it gives an entry level for humanitarian assist to civilians in Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. Previous to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, a whole lot of assist vans went into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing day by day, which the vast majority of the Israeli-occupied territory has relied upon since 2007 after Israel blockaded its land, air and sea borders when Hamas took management, severely limiting the motion of products and folks out and in of Gaza. For the reason that begin of the conflict, assist vans have solely trickled in through the Rafah border crossing.

Egypt additionally lately hosted a peace convention in Cairo.

The Egyptian diplomat mentioned that public opinion within the Center East has a harsh evaluation of the West’s stance on the battle, claiming that “double requirements” are undermining the West’s fame within the area.

“Public opinion in the entire area is shocked, [is] very upset with this biased angle,” he mentioned. “And there’s a sense of conviction among the many public opinion in our neighborhood that [in the eyes of the West] the lives of the Westerners are extra treasured than the lives of the Palestinians.”

Abdelatty vented his frustration at “some speeches [that had] a very biased viewpoint,” though he stopped in need of naming who gave these speeches.

He additionally warned that the fallout from the battle may result in extra migrants arriving in Europe and gas fundamentalism on the EU’s doorstep. “Put your self within the sneakers of youngsters who’re 10 years outdated and they’re dropping their households. What do you anticipate from them sooner or later?” he requested.

His feedback come amid a backlash — together with from some EU staffers — towards European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen’s stance on the battle. Von der Leyen has been accused of taking a robust pro-Israel line.

Abdelatty careworn that internet hosting a second worldwide peace convention — an concept backed by EU leaders after intense stress from Spain — is essential to relaunching the peace course of between Israel and Palestine.

“With out fixing the Palestinian difficulty there might be no peace and stability within the area,” mentioned Abdelatty, who known as for a two-state resolution and the institution of an unbiased Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital — utilizing the borders from June 4, 1967, the day earlier than Israel’s occupation of the West Financial institution, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

He added that the three most pressing priorities for Egypt are an instantaneous ceasefire; “having sustainable and unconditional circulate of humanitarian and medical help;” and creating “a political horizon,” which means the resumption of talks between the 2 sides based mostly on internationally agreed parameters.

Support take care of the EU

Cairo’s envoy to Brussels poured chilly water on recommendations that the EU is near agreeing on an assist take care of Egypt.

Von der Leyen wrote to EU leaders final week, pushing for an financial settlement with Cairo. Similar to deal would mark a brand new step within the Fee’s technique of funneling EU money to northern African nations in a bid to help their economies and halt migration flows to Europe.

Abdelatty careworn that any settlement on financial cooperation with the EU would don’t have anything to do with the state of affairs in Gaza. He added that formal talks with the EU haven’t but begun and declined to offer a timeline for any potential settlement, though a gathering of the EU-Egypt Affiliation Council is slated for January 2024.

Migrant departures from Egypt are near zero however the nation does host some 9 million refugees and lots of Egyptians cross the border to Libya, a key departure level for Europe.

Cairo’s envoy requested the EU to double the present €160 million funding for Egypt to patrol its borders and help the refugees residing there.

He emphasised that any future take care of Brussels ought to transcend migration and increase the financial system of the Arab nation by closing its commerce hole with the EU.  

“[The agreement should be] based mostly on a win-win state of affairs and actual partnership, not anymore a donor-recipient [relationship],” mentioned the ambassador.