Cairo, Egypt – Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, affirmed that the Palestinian issue remains the compass that determines the direction of stability or turmoil in the Middle East. He emphasized that no talk of security or stability can be achieved without a just and comprehensive settlement. This settlement must guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people.
In televised statements today, Zaki said that the ongoing war casts a deep shadow. It has profound repercussions on the overall situation in the region. He noted that the Palestinian issue remains both the focus of the conflict and the key to a solution.
He added that the ongoing negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh represent a real opportunity to end the war. Additionally, they can open a new page of dialogue. He explained that their success rate exceeds 50%. This, he said, is “an encouraging rate, given the nature and complexities of the crisis.”
The Assistant Secretary-General warned that Israel could derail the negotiations at any moment. He mentioned that Israel has done so repeatedly in the past. He believed that this time the bet is on Arab resolve and the shared American will. This could be a decisive factor in pushing the parties toward a concrete agreement.
Zaki concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the region is in dire need of a glimmer of hope. This hope will restore confidence in the possibility of achieving peace. He pointed out that the Palestinian issue is not merely a political issue, but rather a matter of justice, dignity, and identity. Finally, he stressed that the Middle East will not rest until a settlement is achieved. Such a settlement must put an end to the decades-long suffering of its people.
