Each year, the 30th of March coincides with the memory of Palestinian “Land Day,” one of the most remarkable days when the values of resistance, resilience, solidarity, defense of the land, and the struggle were demonstrated in the face of the brutal Zionist occupation, which lacks even the slightest sense of mercy and humanity. We remember the great sacrifices made by the Palestinian people – and still being made – in their struggle for freedom and independence. In this context, the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, despite the challenges, commemorates this significant anniversary in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We recall the events of March 30, 1976, when the occupation authorities announced their plan to confiscate thousands of Palestinian land in the Galilee region. Palestinians united and staged protests and demonstrations, demanding their rights to their land, and engaged in heroic confrontations with the occupying forces, resulting in the loss of six lives and the injury of dozens. Though more than 48 years have passed, their memory remains vivid, and the struggle for their land and rights continues, thanks to the courageous Palestinian resistance and the support of conscientious people worldwide.
The Council deeply regrets that this anniversary occurs amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian territories, with more than 75 years having passed since this aggression began, and with no political prospect of resolving the Palestinian question. In this regard, the Council strongly condemns the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and irresponsible statements by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip, since last October. These actions have resulted in the deaths of more than 32 thousand innocent civilians, most of whom were women and children, and the disappearance of thousands more. The Council emphasizes that these violations underscore the urgent need to work towards a swift resolution of the Palestinian issue, to end the Israeli occupation, which has led to bloodshed and flagrant violations of international laws and norms, including the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law, as well as the International Court of Justice’s decision of January 26, which obliges Israel to refrain from any actions that may lead to the displacement of Palestinians from their territories, or any acts of genocide and other activities prohibited by the Geneva Conventions. Additionally, the Council references its resolution of March 29, 2004, which directs Israel to take all necessary and effective measures without delay to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip to prevent starvation.
In this context, the Council reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the guarantee of humanitarian access to Gaza, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2728 (2024 of March 25, 2024), as well as the United Nations General Assembly resolution of October 27, 2023. The Council also condemns Israel’s insistence on a ground attack on the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt. More than 85% of the population of the Gaza Strip sought refuge as displaced persons to escape the massacres carried out by the occupying forces against innocent civilians and to avoid being trapped in inhumane and degrading conditions to force them to leave their territories, constituting a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime. Additionally, the Council highlights the seriousness of the decision by Western donor countries to punish the entire population of the Gaza Strip by suspending their contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which serves some 6 million Palestinian refugees.
The Council reaffirms its full and absolute support for the resolutions of international legitimacy regarding the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, including East Jerusalem, the complete withdrawal of the occupying power from those territories, and the return of Palestinian refugees to their usurped lands and compensation in accordance with General Assembly resolution 194 of 1949. The Council also acknowledges Egypt’s tireless diplomatic efforts, in collaboration with other fraternal Arab states and at the international level, within the framework of the United Nations system, aimed at achieving an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law, and lifting all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance into the sector.
