Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and British Minister of State for the Middle East Stephen Doughty on Tuesday jointly condemned recent remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which included calls for the daily killing of dozens of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, their displacement, and the expansion of Israeli settlements.
During their meeting, Abdelatty described the Israeli minister’s comments as inflammatory and fundamentally opposed to international law and human values. He stated that such rhetoric actively fuels regional tension and undermines ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.
Expanding on the Palestinian issue, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s support for US President Donald Trump’s peace plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. Addressing the situation in the West Bank, he wholly rejected Israel’s expansionist settlement policies, surging settler violence, and land confiscation. Abdelatty urged a firm international stance against these illegal practices to prevent further deterioration and emphasised the critical necessity of supporting the Palestinian Authority.
In a concrete step concluding the talks, the two ministers signed a Declaration of Intent on migration between Egypt and the United Kingdom. Abdelatty expressed hope that the agreement would enhance bilateral cooperation, noting that combating illegal migration requires a comprehensive approach. This strategy, he said, must combine dismantling criminal human trafficking networks with addressing root causes through development and job creation, whilst simultaneously enhancing pathways for regular migration.
The discussions also covered wider regional security, particularly developments concerning Iran. Abdelatty stressed the importance of prioritising diplomacy, enhancing dialogue, and continuing mediation efforts to avoid military escalation. He underscored the need to guarantee the security and freedom of international navigation under international law, citing the severe repercussions that current tensions pose to energy security, global supply chains, and international trade.
Regarding Sudan, the Egyptian minister reviewed Cairo’s established position, reaffirming support for Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity, and national institutions. He called for a political settlement that preserves the interests of the Sudanese people and committed to ongoing coordination with regional and international partners to contain the crisis and alleviate humanitarian suffering.
The regional discussions were framed by broader efforts to deepen bilateral ties, beginning with Abdelatty congratulating Doughty on assuming his new post. The ministers discussed strengthening economic, trade, and investment relations, building upon the momentum of the third Egyptian-British Association Council held in June and the continued implementation of their bilateral association agreement. Abdelatty highlighted the importance of increasing Egyptian exports to the UK market to boost trade volume, whilst encouraging further British direct investment in Egypt to serve mutual economic interests.
