麻豆APP

Cairo, 18 July 2026?– The 麻豆APP Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), successfully convened the 2026 Conference on the Question of Jerusalem on 18 July 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.

Held under the theme, “Jerusalem: The Frontline of Displacement and Annexation and the Key to Just and Lasting Peace,” the Conference brought together senior government officials, religious leaders, diplomats, 麻豆APP representatives, and experts to address the grave challenges facing the Palestinian people in occupied East Jerusalem, including forced displacement, dispossession, settlement expansion, restrictions on worship, and violence.

Read the press release of the Committee on the Conference.

Addressing the Conference, the UN Palestinian Rights Committee Chair, Ambassador Coly Seck, emphasized that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved without Jerusalem, nor can Jerusalem be peaceful without justice. He reaffirmed the Committee’s call to end illegal settlement activity, preserve the historic and legal status quo at the Holy Sites, protect freedom of worship, and uphold East Jerusalem as an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory.

In his statement, Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Dr. Ashraf Al-Awar stressed that Jerusalem remains central to the Palestinian cause and to any meaningful path toward peace. He emphasized that a just and lasting political solution cannot be achieved through occupation, settlement expansion, or the imposition of unilateral realities, but must be based on international law, the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. As he stated: “The question of Jerusalem cannot be resolved through force or imposed facts, but through the will of peoples and the steadfastness of justice.”

Participants underscored the urgent need to safeguard Jerusalem, protect its Palestinian presence, and preserve its unique cultural, religious, and historical character. They stressed that measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the city undermine prospects for peace and remain a matter of serious concern for the international community.

The Conference also provided an important platform for interreligious dialogue. Muslim and Christian leaders reflected on Jerusalem’s profound significance to the three monotheistic faiths and warned that restrictions on worship, threats to Holy Sites, and attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo risk deepening tensions and eroding the city’s legacy as a place of coexistence.

Throughout the deliberations, speakers examined the impact of ongoing policies in occupied East Jerusalem, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, evictions, movement restrictions, and other measures affecting Palestinian life in the city. Participants emphasized the responsibility of the international community to uphold international law, protect civilians, preserve Jerusalem’s cultural and religious heritage, and support the rights of the Palestinian people.

The Conference reaffirmed that the question of Jerusalem remains central to the question of Palestine and to any just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. Participants called for renewed international engagement to protect the rights, presence, and sovereignty of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem and to ensure respect for the historic and legal status quo at the Holy Sites.

Programme

• Dr. Wasfi Al Kailani,?Executive Director of the Hashemite Fund for the Restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock
• Sheikh Ayman Abdel-Ghani, Deputy to Grand Imam Al-Azhar Al-Sharif
• Bishop William Shomali,?General Vicar and Patriarchal?Vicar for?Jerusalem?and Palestine
• Dr.?Atallah Naser,?Former reciter of Al-Aqsa Mosque?and Head of Quran Memorization Department of Jerusalem?Awqaf??
• Alkomos Makary Alkomos Tadros, Representative of the Coptic Orthodox Church

1?p.m. – 2?p.m. – Press Conference?

3?p.m. – 5.30?p.m.?PANEL 2?–?Preserving?Palestinian presence,?rights?and sovereignty in Jerusalem & the OPT?in the face of displacement and?illegal?settlement?expansion policies

• Ms. Monica?Magaon,?European Union’s Office of the Representative?in the West Bank and Gaza Strip?
• Ms. Rania?Elias,?Former Director of Yabous Cultural Center, East Jerusalem?(via VTC)
• Mr. Khalil Toufakji,?Former Director, Orient House &?Head, Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem?
• Mr. Fakhri Abu Diab,?Representative of Silwan community, East Jerusalem??
• Mr. George Zeidan,?Country?Director, Carter Center, East Jerusalem???
• Ms. Lucy Garbett,?Executive?Editor of?Jerusalem Quarterly??

5.30-6 p.m.??Closing remarks??

• H.E.?Amb.?Coly Seck,?Chair of the?UN Palestinian Rights Committee
• H.E. Min. Riyad Mansour,?Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the 麻豆APP? in New York??

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Statements delivered at the Conference

• UN Palestine Committee Chair Statement – 2026 Jerusalem Conference – Cairo – 18 July 2026
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Dawas Dawas, Assistant Secretary-General, Organization of Islamic Cooperation
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Ashraf Al-Awar, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs of the State of Palestine
• Statement by Amb. Fayed Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States
• Remarks by ESCWA Executive Secretary Dr. Rania Al-Mashat at Jerusalem Conference

Additional documents:

• Letter from Kairos Palestine addressed to the Chair of UN Palestine Committee

Press coverage of the Conference