Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday delivered a forceful address at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, warning that Israel's "force and aggression" will not bring peace and may instead plunge the region back into conflict. Speaking at the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha convened in response to Israeli airspace violations and attacks on Qatari territory, Sisi expressed Egypt's full solidarity with Qatar's leadership and its people. He described the aggression as a "heinous act, a dangerous precedent, and a threat to Arab and Islamic national security." Sisi warned that Israel's "recklessness and mounting arrogance" require Arab and Islamic leaders to work together to establish principles that reflect shared interests and a common vision for regional security. He pointed to the Arab League's recent ministerial decision, "A Common Vision for Security and Cooperation in the Region," as a foundation for building a framework to address critical regional challenges, prevent unilateral dominance, and block security arrangements that undermine collective stability. "Israel must understand that its security cannot be achieved through force and aggression, but only by respecting international law and the sovereignty of Arab and Islamic states," Sisi said. "These principles are non-negotiable. The world must realise that Israel's policies erode prospects for peace, flout international law, and trample human values, bringing only more tension and instability with grave consequences for global security." Addressing the people of Israel directly, Sisi said, "What is happening now undermines the future of peace, threatens your security and that of all peoples in the region, and obstructs opportunities for new peace agreements while jeopardising existing ones." "The consequences will be dire, with the region sliding back into conflict and squandering decades of hard-won peace." He condemned Israel's targeting of civilians and the policy of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza, which he said has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths over the past two years. Military solutions and attempts to impose fait accompli, he said, will not bring security to any party. "Egypt will continue to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and their inalienable rights under international law. We reject all attempts to displace them — whether through settlement activity, land annexation, forced transfer, or any other means." Sisi emphasised that the Palestinian issue is central to regional stability, calling for an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He highlighted the upcoming Two-State Solution Conference on September 22 in New York, alongside the UN General Assembly, as a pivotal step, urging all countries that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to do so immediately. "Now is a decisive moment," Sisi said. "Our unity must form the foundation for confronting challenges, preventing further chaos, and blocking regional arrangements that undermine our collective interests. Our message is clear: we will not accept violations of our sovereignty, nor attempts to sabotage peace. "We stand united in defending Arab and Islamic rights, foremost among them the Palestinian people's right to an independent state." The summit, attended by Arab and Islamic leaders, focused on the recent Israeli aggression and the broader challenge of safeguarding regional stability. Leaders discussed coordinated measures to prevent escalation, ensure humanitarian access, and uphold the sovereignty of Arab nations. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
