The Sharm el-Sheikh conference for Gaza reconstruction has managed to rally countries behind funding the process of reconstruction. The donor countries have vowed to offer nearly $ 5 billion to rebuild the war-torn strip within the upcoming two years. The success of the reconstruction process does not hinge upon rallying aid and finance as it is linked to many challenges and considerations President Mubarak has set in his inaugural speech as follows: first, reaching calm agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure the opening of crossings before construction materials; second, realizing reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and the factions to help form a national unity government which would supervise reconstruction in coordination with the Palestinian Authority.

 

Third, agreeing on an international mechanism to receive the donors' contributions and re-direct them for the reconstruction process within the framework of transparency and accountability. Fourth, activating the role of the UN as an umbrella for the reconstruction efforts and realizing coordination between the UN-affiliated agencies, particularly the UNRWA. In fact, without putting pressure on Israel to allow the access of construction materials, the funds provided by the donor countries will not lead to rebuilding the strip. In addition, without allowing the access of basic commodities and lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza, the reconstruction process will face many obstacles. Meanwhile, the donor countries have to seriously address the reconstruction issue and the international community has to ensure that the Israeli aggression will not be repeated. Moreover, the whole world should firmly confront the Israeli assaults on the Palestinians as it is not reasonable for the international community to continue rebuilding what Israel destroys. However, the Israeli occupation has to abide by the humanitarian international law, particularly the fourth Geneva Convention which regulates the conditions of people under occupation.

 

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton confirmed in Sharm el-Sheikh 2/3/2009 and in Jerusalem yesterday 3/3/2009 the commitment of the Obama administration to solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution. We hail this commitment unless it is linked to a US bias to the conditions imposed by Israel as happened in the past stages of the peace process. At her press conference with Tzipi Livni yesterday, Clinton reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel's security, calling for the halt of rocket fire from Gaza without calling on Israel to halt its barbaric assaults on the Palestinians. Clinton also ignored to comment on the decision made by the Israeli government to establish 73.000 new settling units in the West Bank and destroy two Palestinian houses in Jerusalem to allow turning the rest of Jerusalem's neighborhoods into Jewish communities.

 

All these measures nip in the bud the two-state solution and give the Palestinians-who want to restore their rights and land-no option except resistance and steadfastness to convince Israel that expansion and security cannot be secured together. The United States has also to realize that its commitment to Israel's security should be linked to Israel's giving back of the territories and rights of the Palestinians.

 

The Sharm el-Sheikh conference for Gaza reconstruction constitutes a testimony of Egypt's unique status and the distinguished role at the international arena in service of the causes of its Arab nation. Egypt is capable of taking action at the international arena based on the international confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of its role. In fact, what Egypt does before and after Sharm el-Sheikh conference is not aimed at casting light on its role, but it is a crystal clear Egyptian strategy which emanates from Egypt's belief in the principle of the countries' dependence on one another and that no country can solely move towards realizing its objectives while living in isolation. Egypt has called for the holding of Sharm el-Sheikh conference to continue its role in the service of the Palestinian cause and under its full belief in peace whether in our region or all over the world. Egypt also has a sincere desire in coping with any international efforts aimed at solving conflicts by peaceful means.

 

In fact, the Egyptian policy move is boosted by major pillars the most important of which is Egypt's capability to consolidate solidarity in the different Arab, Muslim and African circles led by President Mubarak to remove all root causes of differences and contradictions between the countries of the above circles, depending on the protective diplomacy method to avoid conflicts. Certainly, Egypt is a country which loves peace and maintains rights and has never abandoned its direct rights or the rights of others.

 

Fatah and Hamas have proven their capability to overcome differences if there is a good intent and if the Palestinian higher interests are the motive. I think the reconciliation conference held in Cairo last week is the best evidence. However, the current situation requires more sacrifices in the upcoming stage so that the Egyptian mediation efforts can yield through the formation of a national unity government and the holding of new presidential and legislative elections in preparation for a critical stage with an extremist Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu who is known for his extremist stances and maneuvers. For its part, Cairo has reaffirmed its impartiality towards the different Palestinian parties and interest in dedicating all efforts to help solve the Palestinian problem and establish the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

 

On the other hand, the Sharm el-Sheikh conference for Gaza reconstruction with the attendance of 87 countries has managed to secure up to almost $ 5 billion for the reconstruction process. What is more important-as President Mubarak put it-is to realize the just and permanent peace and establish the independent Palestinian state. Moreover, without just peace and settlement, Israel would commit more barbaric actions. Hence, the world countries have to compel Israel to accept the resolutions of the international legitimacy and withdraw from the Arab occupied territories. This is the real and acceptable peace given that the Israeli maneuvers are no longer tolerable and the Palestinians will not be patient as they have been all the time. The whole world has to shoulder its responsibility towards the Zionist entity which rejects peace and try its leaders as war criminals.