Will Saudi Arabia build its 1st Coptic Christian church?
In an interview with CNN Arabic, the Pope said, 'There is nothing on the ground yet, but I believe there will be no obstacle to that in the future.'
He pointed to 'happy' developments in Saudi Arabia, noting that he met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz during his visit to Cairo and met with the Saudi Crown Prince two years later, also during his visit to Cairo.
Pope Tawadros II hailed these meetings as 'very good,' praising the youthful spirit conveyed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
'We proposed that one of the bishops visit and meet with the Copts, and approval was given. They prayed in hotel halls, and the visits were pleasant, and we repeated them two or three times,' he said.
'This represents a welcome openness to Saudi society, and I believe there will be good news in the future. It's true that there isn't anything on the ground yet, but the situation will need to develop.'
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Daily News Egypt
30-07-2025
- Daily News Egypt
After the Two-State Solution Conference: Diverging Western Visions Lay Bare the Depth of the Palestinian Predicament
The 'Two-State Solution' conference, held in New York on July 28–29 under Saudi-French co-sponsorship, concluded on Tuesday evening. While the agenda formally centered on humanitarian relief for Gaza, the core political question that underpinned the gathering was far more urgent and far-reaching: Is a Palestinian state still a viable political objective, or has it been relegated to the realm of conditional and delayed aspirations? The conference revealed stark divergences between key Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, and exposed a deeper schism in how the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is framed: Is Palestinian statehood a matter for negotiation—or an inherent right that must be internationally recognized as a prelude to any future resolution? Under the leadership of President Donald Trump—now in his second term since January 2025—the United States maintains an unwavering commitment to Israel, offering unconditional military and political support while firmly rejecting unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The administration continues to promote a so-called 'final settlement' built around regional realignments, with reports surfacing of unofficial proposals to relocate Gaza's population to neighboring countries and rebrand the Strip as a future investment hub. Though not officially adopted, such notions signal a broader American strategy to entrench Palestinian statehood within Israeli strategic thinking, deferring its realization to current power dynamics overwhelmingly tilted in Israel's favor. This approach significantly undermines the position of those who advocate postponing recognition of Palestine under the pretext of waiting for a negotiated settlement—especially when Israel has consistently denied the very existence of a Palestinian entity or any rights beyond fragmented, subordinated pockets under its military dominance. By contrast, the United Kingdom, under Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has attempted to strike a more balanced tone. London voiced concern over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, called for secure aid corridors, and announced a freeze on certain arms exports to Israel. Yet Starmer reaffirmed that recognition of a Palestinian state would only come within the framework of a negotiated peace deal—despite the fact that his party's electoral manifesto had committed to supporting recognition. This reticence has drawn criticism from within his own party, with many accusing him of hiding behind procedural constraints while conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate. Meanwhile, France's announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine by September represents a political shockwave in Europe. Notably, this position reportedly germinated during President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Cairo, reflecting a growing French–Egyptian alignment on the core tenets of a just peace: rejecting population displacement, affirming the Arab Peace Initiative, and emphasizing the centrality of international law. Equally significant has been Egypt's sustained diplomatic engagement since the onset of the Gaza war. Cairo was the first to reject any demographic engineering or forced transfer of Palestinians. It has since played a pivotal role in ceasefire efforts, humanitarian coordination, and advocating for a two-state solution based on relevant UN resolutions. Saudi Arabia, for its part, emerged as a transformative actor, not only co-chairing the New York conference but also driving the political momentum behind reintroducing state recognition as a credible diplomatic tool. Indeed, what the conference began to crystallize is a strategic shift: recognition of Palestine is no longer merely symbolic—it is becoming a mechanism for recalibrating the diplomatic balance and exerting pressure on Israel and its principal backer, the United States. The idea is to internationalize Palestinian statehood as a recognized right, rather than a concession granted by Israel. In doing so, the issue is decoupled from Israel's veto power and inserted instead into the realm of global legitimacy—acknowledged by both major and minor powers alike. The European Union's voice at the conference reinforced this trajectory. EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stated unequivocally: 'We are not merely participants in this process—we are shaping the region's agenda. We are not simply calling for peace; we are investing in it.' She further emphasized the EU's dual commitment to 'an Israel that is secure and a Palestine that is free.' In this shifting landscape, the UK finds itself at a moral and strategic crossroads. Remaining in diplomatic limbo—neither fully aligned with the American hardline nor integrated into the emerging European consensus—could erode Britain's credibility in the region and within its own political institutions. The question looms: will the UK remain cautious to preserve its transatlantic ties, or take a principled leap to join a growing chorus of nations recognizing Palestine? The United States, meanwhile, appears determined to stay the course. Its refusal to endorse France's recognition initiative and its silence on EU proposals for immediate diplomatic steps highlight Washington's continued prioritization of Israeli security over Palestinian sovereignty. Amid this transatlantic rift, Palestinians once again find themselves caught in an unjust equation: one side ties their right to statehood to the will of those who deny it; the other expresses rhetorical solidarity but hesitates to act. In truth, the aftermath of the New York conference marks not an endpoint but a beginning. As preparations proceed for a potential follow-up summit in Paris during the UN General Assembly in September, pressure will mount on undecided nations to take a definitive stance. The world must now choose: either recognize the Palestinian state as an inalienable political reality—or retreat once again into cycles of negotiation, where peace remains deferred, justice diluted, and rights suspended between maps and promises. Dr. Marwa El-Shinawy: Academic and Writer
See - Sada Elbalad
29-07-2025
- See - Sada Elbalad
OIC Participates at UN Conference on Palestinian Issue
Mohamed Mandour On behalf of the OIC Secretary-General, Amb. Samir Bakr, Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs, participated, at the head of the OIC General Secretariat's delegation made up of Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru, OIC Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Adel Salama from the OIC Department of Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs and Mr. Jean Iqbal from the OIC Mission to the United Nations, at the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, launched at the UN Headquarters in New York, under the co-chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France. The three-day Conference was opened with the speeches of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Palestinian Prime Minister, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in which they emphasized the importance of this meeting in mobilizing the international community's responsibility to protect the two-state solution, end the Israeli occupation and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The states will discuss, over eight sessions, the practical steps to materialize the sovereign Palestinian State, end the Israeli occupation, and achieve a fair and lasting peace in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions. A large number of senior ministers and officials from the UN member states, international and regional organizations, and the UN specialized bodies are participating in the conference taking place from 28 to 30 July. The conference will issue a final document inclusive of the practical measures and steps to enforce the two-state solution based on the international legitimacy's resolutions. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
Al-Ahram Weekly
29-07-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan reaffirm strong alignment to end regional crises
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a meeting with his Qatari, Saudi, and Jordanian counterparts, during which they expressed a strong alignment in their visions and a unified position to pursue political and diplomatic solutions to the ongoing regional crises. The meeting on Monday took place on the sidelines of the "High-Level International Conference on Peaceful Resolution of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution," held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. A Foreign Ministry statement said Abdelatty exchanged views with his Arab counterparts on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, as well as joint Egyptian-Qatari efforts with the United States to resume the ceasefire, secure the release of captives and detainees, prevent further bloodshed among the Palestinian people, and ensure the urgent and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The ministers also discussed the following steps to implement the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, including preparations for the upcoming Cairo International Conference on Reconstruction, in cooperation with the Palestinian government and the United Nations. The statement further noted that the ministers agreed to continue consultations and coordination among themselves to advance mutual interests and support regional security and stability. Earlier in the day, FM Abdelatty delivered a speech at the conference highlighting its success in mobilizing a broad international consensus in support of an independent Palestinian state. Egypt's top diplomat praised the 'courageous' declaration by French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the State of Palestine. He also held meetings with The Elders, a group founded by the late South African leader Nelson Mandela to promote peace worldwide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
