Arabs and Europeans back Palestinian state, as US stresses rebuilding
Arab states and many European countries are backing a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict and have recognized a Palestinian state. Israel is strongly opposed, and US President Trump prefers to stress reconstruction of the devastated Gaza Strip.
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (dpa/AP) - Jordan's King Abdullah II spoke for many Arab leaders in saying that without a peace process leading to a Palestinian state, the Middle East is "doomed."
In interview with the BBC, which aired Monday evening, the monarch emphasized that failing to resolve this issue would lead to the conflict reigniting.
He made these remarks before departing for a summit in Egypt with US President Donald Trump, intended to mark the end of the Gaza war.
A declaration was ceremoniously signed at the summit, but it contains no concrete steps beyond the current ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Notably, neither of the two warring parties was represented at the summit.
Sharm el-Sheikh declaration omits mention of Palestinian state
The declaration from Sharm el-Sheikh does not mention a Palestinian state, which has been recognized by more countries in recent months.
It only states that lasting peace in the region will be possible if the security, dignity and fundamental human rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are protected.
Speaking before leaving for the Sharm el-Sheik summit, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a continuing threat from the Palestinian militant group Hamas following the sealing of a ceasefire in the Gaza war.
Macron is a strong backer of the two-state solution, and France recently recognized a Palestinian state over opposition from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal have moved to recognize a Palestinian state, as has Belgium. The United States, Japan and several European countries are continuing to withhold recognition, among them Germany, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.
Speaking as Trump arrived in Egypt, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi called on him to reinforce the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
During a joint press conference on Monday, shortly after the US president touched down in the coastal resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, al-Sissi told Trump: "You are the only one capable of achieving peace in the region."
El-Sissi renews call for two-state solution
Trump's proposal represented the "last chance" for peace in the region, al-Sissi said, reiterating his call for a two-state solution, saying Palestinians have the right to an independent state.
The summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh was aimed at supporting the ceasefire reached in Gaza, ending the Israel-Hamas war and developing a long-term vision for governing and rebuilding the devastated Palestinian territory.
The gathering appeared designed to rally international support behind the Trump vision for putting an end to the war. Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the co-chair of the summit, told Trump "only you" can bring peace to the region.
Trump stresses transition in Gaza, does not mention two-state solution
Trump's plan holds out the possibility of a Palestinian state, but only after a lengthy transition period in Gaza and a reform process by the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian independence. Trump made no mention of a two-state solution at the summit.
In his own address to the summit, Trump called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East, saying that the region has "a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us." He urged leaders "to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past."
Israel and Hamas came under pressure from the United States, Arab countries and Turkey to agree on the first phase of the ceasefire deal negotiated in Qatar through mediators. It began Friday.
On Monday, Trump, el-Sissi, the Qatari emir and the Turkish president signed a document. Trump said the document spelled out "a lot of rules and regulations and lots of other things, and it's very comprehensive." The document was not shared with journalists in the room or made public.