Egyptian FM to Lapid: Need to resolve current stalemate between Israel, Palestinians

Arab sources report accelerated activity in preparation for resumption of diplomatic process between PA and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Jordan; top U.S. diplomat on Israel, Palestinians Hady Amr expected in region next week, will focus on issues including financial aid to Gaza that bypasses Hamas
Ynet, News Agencies|
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Foreign Minister Yair Lapid meets with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Brussels for their first bilateral talks since Israel's new government took office last month.
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  • Shoukry "stresse[d] the need to resolve the current stalemate between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, leading to just and comprehensive peace negotiations," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Twitter, alongside images of the two top diplomats meeting.
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    Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, left, meets with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Brussels, July 11, 2021
    Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, left, meets with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Brussels, July 11, 2021
    Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, left, meets with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Brussels, July 11, 2021
    (Photo: Twitter)
    Egypt has been playing a key mediating role in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas following their 11-day conflict in May.
    Meanwhile, Palestinian and Arab sources have in recent days reported accelerated activity in preparation for the resumption of the diplomatic process between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Jordan.
    According to a Palestinian source, Amman and Cairo have been working behind the scenes since the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden in January to bring about a Israeli-Palestinian summit under the auspices of the Quartet of international peacemakers and an international conference.
    U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr is expected in the region next week for his first visit since the new government was sworn in last month.
    2 View gallery
    President Mahmud Abbas (R) meeting with the US envoy for Israel-Palestinian affairs Hady Amr
    President Mahmud Abbas (R) meeting with the US envoy for Israel-Palestinian affairs Hady Amr
    U.S. envoy for Israel-Palestinian affairs Hady Amr, left, meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last month
    (Photo: AFP)
    Amr's visit will focus on issues including transferring Qatari financial aid to Gaza while bypassing the Hamas terror group that rules the coastal enclave.
    The emerging proposal would see $30 million in Qatari cash infused into the territory's economy through the United Nations each month and possibly through the Palestinian Authority further down the road.
    Another option would see some of the grants transferred to families in need through Gaza's postal banks after the Shin Bet domestic security agency ensures the funds do not fall into terrorist hands. Part of the money would go to funding employment programs and the acquisition of fuel.
    Palestinian sources said last week that the U.S. was not satisfied with the progress in talks on rehabilitating the Gaza Strip after it was pounded by Israel in the May conflict, and that Amr would also address this issue in talks.
    A senior official in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party said that issues such as Israel’s actions in Jerusalem, the future of Palestinian families facing eviction from their East Jerusalem homes and the issue of reuniting Palestinians with Israeli spouses would also be on the table.
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    2.
    Does Israel demand Egypt crack down on the Copt killing?
    Egypt's Copts are routinely abused and murdered by rampaging Muslims and we never hear of those Muslims being arrested and convicted for those atrocities. How come, Egypt? And in Egypt, the Copts are the meekest citizens of the country and Egypt does NOTHING to protect them! In Israel, the Arabs are the perpetrators of all sorts of crimes against Israelis. Israel has a stronger moral argument to tell Egypt to act like a nation of Equals than Egypt has any argument to tell Israel to go soft on the people who randomly launch rockets into the country and randomly attack Israelis. It would be better if Egypt came to Israel and said, "We both have problems. Let's see what we can do to remedy them together."
    David| 07.13.21
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    1.
    One king and one Clown
    Jordan have no water and poor population. Egypt in the same boat surviving on aid. Instead of negotiating free trade agreements, commercial tie and student exchange, they use the precious meetings with Israel to bring up the parasite 7th generation fake refugees.
    Boaz| 07.11.21
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