Sisi receives call from Abbas about Jerusalem situation

CAIRO – 2 December 2017: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held on Saturday a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, informing him of the situation in Jerusalem and the urgent importance of protecting it and protecting Islamic and Christian holy places from threats.

President Sisi affirmed Egypt's continued keenness to reach a comprehensive solution that guarantees the right of the Palestinians to establish their independent state in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy, said presidential spokesman Bassam Rady.

For his part, President Abbas expressed his country's appreciation for Egypt's efforts and its historic role in supporting the Palestinian cause. He also praised the Egyptian efforts regarding the Palestinian reconciliation process, inciting the Palestinian people to face the various challenges facing them.

The two presidents agreed to continue intensive coordination and consultation on various developments in Palestine and ways to resume negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

This contact comes within the communication campaign of Abbas to protect the city of Jerusalem.

On November 27, an Egyptian Security Delegation visited the Gaza Strip to follow up on the developments of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement signed recently between Hamas and Fatah under the auspices of the Egyptian authorities.

In October, Egyptian Intelligence Chief Khaled Fawzy paid a visit to Gaza, where he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ Political Bureau.

On November 21 and 22, Palestinian national authorities and factions met in Cairo upon an Egyptian invitation to resume talks between Fatah and Hamas, with the intention of finding common ground for the implementation of the next steps of their Egyptian-brokered reconciliation deal.

It was agreed during the meeting that principles of the October 2017 Fatah and Hamas reconciliation would be adhered with in order to allow the government to carry out its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.

They also agreed to invite the Freedoms Committee that was formed in accordance with the May 4, 2011 reconciliation to resume its work immediately in Gaza and the West Bank.