We, Representatives of the Ministerial Joint Contact Group of the League of Arab States and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Palestine, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Trkiye, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Representatives of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain; met in Madrid, in the midst of the worst crisis that the Middle East has suffered in many decades, to reiterate our joint commitment to the implementation of the two-State solution, as the only way to establish lasting peace and security

During the years of the peace process, the parties and the international community have defined terms of reference and parameters for the implementation of the two State solution, based on relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, rules and principles of International Law, and the Arab Peace Initiative
. Instead, unilateral illegal measures, settlements, forced displacement and extremism have frustrated both people’s hopes for peace. Since October 7th an unprecedented tragedy of unspeakable human suffering and violations of international law are unfolding before our eyes, and undermining international peace and security.

We condemn all forms of violence and terrorism.

We call for the credible, irreversible implementation of the two-State solution in accordance with international law and agreed parameters, including the Arab Peace Initiative, to achieve a just and lasting peace that fulfils the rights of the Palestinian people, to ensure the security of Israel and achieve normal relations in a region where stability, security, peace and cooperation prevail.

Thirty three years after the Peace Conference that was held in this city, the parties and the international community have not been able to deliver on our common objective, which is still valid: ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territor
y, including East Jerusalem, that started in 1967, and bringing about a reality where two independent and sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security, integrated in the region, based on mutual recognition and on effective cooperation for shared stability and prosperity.

We welcome the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19th July 2024.

We reiterate the necessity of empowering the Palestinian Government to fulfill all its duties throughout the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

We fully support the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and we reject all actions aiming at hindering this mediation process. We are calling repeatedly for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees. We also call for the reestablishment of the full control of the Palestinian Authority over the Rafah crossing and the rest of the borders and the full withdrawal of the Israeli oc
cupying forces from Gaza, including from the Philadelphi corridor.

There is an urgent need for the immediate, unconditioned and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale through the opening of all the Israeli crossings, and support for the work of UNRWA and other UN agencies. We urge all parties to comply with obligations under International Humanitarian Law and to implement the orders of the International Court of Justice.

We warn of the dangerous escalation in the West Bank and urge an immediate halt to military attacks against the Palestinians, as well as to all illegal measures that undermine the prospects for peace, including settlement activities, confiscation of land and displacement of Palestinians. We emphasize that the legal and historical status quo at Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian Holy Sites be upheld and recognize the key role of the Hashemite Custodianship in that regard. We call to hold all measures leading for regional escalation.

The international community must take active
steps to implement the two-State solution, including universal recognition of the State of Palestine, and its admission as a full member of the United Nations. We underline that the question of recognition is an essential element in this new agenda for peace, leading to mutual recognition of both Israel and Palestine.

Today, we recommit to our joint peace efforts to advance the implementation of the two-State solution. We recall that our countries have agreed on the need to convene as soon as possible an international peace conference.

With these objectives in mind, we call on the parties and all the members of the United Nations to join the broader meeting on ‘The situation in Gaza and the implementation of the two-State solution as the path to a just and comprehensive peace’, on the margins of the next session of the UN General Assembly on 26th September 2024.

Source: State Information Service Egypt