January, 2001

Jerusalem in Egyptian Political Discourse

Dr. Ahmed Youssef Al Karie

Egypt's official and non-official stance regarding the issue of Jerusalem was never more clear and comprehensive than it has been since Ariel Sharon's entry of the Haram Sharif -Al-Aqsa Mosque, The Dome of the Rock and the space in between them- on 28 September 2000. Sharon's provocative visit brought about a number of dangerous reactions, the most important of which was the aggravation of the Palestinian people. The resulting pressure on the Israeli political system ended with the resignation of Ehud Barak and consequently the holding of the early elections.


During the last three months of 2000, Egyptian political discourse followed all controversial developments. The discourse included a declaration of the Egyptian stance regarding different proposals, projects and allegations related to the issue of sovereignty over East Jerusalem and its Arab identity. It included refuting Israeli allegations to historic rights in the area. During this period, Egyptian discourse mirrored the Egyptian vision regarding the issue of Jerusalem and was represented in the following:


1- Palestinian sovereignty over all of East Jerusalem

2- Palestinian sovereignty over the walled old city of Jerusalem with all its sacred places and districts, except for the Jewish quarter, refusing any partial or common sovereignty over any of the Muslim or Christian districts.

3- Keeping Jerusalem open for all residents and visitors to move freely between its touristic sites and to integrate its services without invading Palestinian rights of sovereignty and keeping Palestine's right to East Jerusalem as the capital of its state.

4- Securing the arrival of Jews to the Wailing Wall while maintaining Palestinian sovereignty over it. The formation of a joint Palestinian-centred Israeli police force to organise the visit of Jews to the Wailing Wall.

5- Opening foreign embassies in both parts of the city after, and not before attaining a final status settlement. This applies also to the US embassy.

In the context of the five previous items, President Hosni Mubarak spoke on the dimensions of the Egyptian discourse and discussed the following points:

1- Refusing further delays regarding negotiations over Jerusalem

2- Refusing to cede Arab sovereignty over the Haram Sharif

3- The establishment of an independent sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital

4- Refusing to give Jerusalem an independent international character or turning it into another Vatican or South Pole.

5- A fair settlement of the issue of Haram Sharif and the city of Jerusalem within the framework of a declaration of principles similar to the Egyptian-Israeli declaration of principles concerning Sinai.