Statement of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Regarding the Signing of the “Beijing Declaration” by Palestinian Factions for Reconciliation

The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) strongly welcomes the agreement of 14 Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, on 23 July 2024 to end their differences and form an interim national unity government for the Palestinian territories by signing the Beijing Declaration.

The Council stresses the centrality of this step as a fundamental pillar to confront the Israeli aggression and its brutal practices against the Palestinian people, as well as its importance for strengthening Palestinian national unity, achieving peace and security, enhancing the aspirations of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the lines of the fourth of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the relevant decisions of international legitimacy. In this context, the Council hopes that the Declaration will serve as a solid basis and an effective mechanism for promoting dialogue and understanding in the future among the Palestinian factions in order to overcome any differences between them, and thus give impetus to the Palestinian cause.

On the other hand, the Council appreciates the positive role played by the People’s Republic of China in this vital file, as it hosted the meeting of the factions from July 21 to 23, which resulted in the “Beijing Declaration”. In this context, the Council expresses its appreciation for the efforts and initiatives of the Chinese leadership and its continued keenness to support the rights and unity of the Palestinian people and to strengthen their just and legitimate struggle to end the Israeli occupation and materialize the Palestinian State.