Sissi: There is ‘real opportunity’ for Mideast peace

Egypt’s president says there is now “real opportunity” for an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement that would also lead to warmer ties between Egypt and the Jewish state.

Abdel-Fatteh el-Sissi says the amount of animosity between Egypt and Israel that existed prior to the conclusion of their 1979 landmark accord was no different from how the Palestinians and Israelis feel now. Egypt, the president says, is prepared to “make every effort” to contribute to an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.

“There is an Arab initiative, there is currently a French initiative, and there are American efforts” to broker an Israeli-Palestinian settlement, he says.

Sissi urges both sides to draw hope from the “real and stable peace” between Israel and Egypt.

“Maybe some people can say this peace is not warm,” the president says. “I tell them a warmer peace will be achieved if we were able to resolve the issues of our Palestinian brothers.”

The Egyptian leader also calls on Israeli parties and leaders to “please, reach an agreement so a solution can be found” and urges “a real reconciliation, and quickly” between Palestinian factions, offering Cairo’s full support.

“If we are able to — all of us together — with effort and a real will and devotion, find a solution for this issue, and find hope for the Palestinians and security for the Israelis, I am telling you a new page will be written,” he says.

— AFP