El-Sisi Meets Ronald Lauder, Head of the World Jewish Congress, to Discuss Stability in the Middle East
On Saturday, February 16, 2025, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hosted Mr. Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, for a high-level meeting in Cairo. Also attending the meeting was Mr. Hassan Rashad, Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service. The main purpose of the meeting was to examine ways and means to restore and maintain stability in the Middle East, amidst persistent tensions.
Egyptian Efforts for a Lasting Ceasefire in Gaza
According to the official spokesperson of the presidency, the meeting primarily focused on Egypt’s efforts to implement a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. President El-Sisi provided a detailed account of the initiatives undertaken by his country to facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners between the concerned parties, as well as to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, where the humanitarian crisis remains alarming.
Egypt’s involvement in these talks is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting peace and preventing any escalation that could further complicate the situation. Egypt plays a crucial role as a mediator in regional conflicts and is actively working to ease tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups.
Support and Approval from the World Jewish Congress
For his part, Mr. Ronald Lauder expressed his deep gratitude to the Egyptian government for its commitment and seriousness in resolving conflicts in the Middle East. He emphasized that Egypt is one of the few countries playing a balanced role, seeking pragmatic and viable solutions to the crises affecting the region.
According to Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, official spokesperson for the presidency, President El-Sisi stressed the need for all parties involved to take responsibility to ensure respect for the ceasefire and prevent any resumption of hostilities. He warned against the dangers of the conflict expanding, explaining that it would harm all parties, including nations not directly involved in the fighting.
El-Sisi also underscored that the only path to true and lasting peace lies in the creation of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position was firmly supported by the Egyptian government, which considers the establishment of such a state to be key to ending decades of instability and violence in the region.
Reconstruction of Gaza: A Priority for Egypt
Another crucial point discussed during the meeting was the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. President El-Sisi highlighted the urgency of this task and affirmed that Egypt is preparing a comprehensive plan to address the needs of Gaza’s residents. He emphasized that reconstruction must take place while respecting the rights of Palestinians to remain on their land, excluding any notion of forced displacement of the population.
The Head of the World Jewish Congress praised this initiative and expressed his support for the efforts made by Egypt. He also stated his readiness to continue consultations with the Egyptian government on various issues related to peace and regional stability.
The Importance of the Egypt – United States Partnership
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Ronald Lauder made a statement in which he expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful encounter with President El-Sisi. He affirmed that the meeting had been not only excellent but also extremely beneficial, allowing them to address essential issues related to peace in the Middle East.
He also highlighted the strategic importance of Egypt in the region and stressed that the relationship between Egypt and the United States is crucial for ensuring the stability of the Middle East. According to him, this trilateral cooperation between Egypt, the United States, and the World Jewish Congress could be a determining factor in advancing toward lasting peace.
Towards a Two-State Solution: A Shared Goal
The President of the World Jewish Congress reiterated his support for diplomatic efforts aimed at implementing the two-state solution, an approach that would ensure peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine. He stated that the Egyptian-Arab proposal regarding Gaza is an encouraging initiative and deserves to be closely examined by all concerned parties.
He concluded by affirming that “peace is the hope of millions of people and must be achieved through fair and balanced negotiations.” This statement reflects the growing commitment of international actors to finding a sustainable solution to a conflict that has lasted for decades.
Egypt, an Indispensable Actor in Regional Peace
This meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Ronald Lauder once again underscores Egypt’s central role in regional diplomacy. As a trusted mediator, Cairo continues to play a key role in seeking peaceful solutions to the crises in the Middle East.
Through its constant efforts, Egypt has managed to maintain an open dialogue with all parties involved while firmly defending the rights of Palestinians and working toward a fair and lasting peace. As the world watches closely the evolution of the situation, Egyptian leadership in this mediation may well be a decisive factor in the future of the region.
