{"id":319542,"date":"2026-07-18T06:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T10:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=319542"},"modified":"2026-07-20T16:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T20:00:13","slug":"2026-conference-on-the-question-of-jerusalem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/2026-conference-on-the-question-of-jerusalem\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Conference on the Question of Jerusalem \u2013 Cairo, Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cairo, 18 July 2026<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Â鶹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.<\/p>\n

Held under the theme, \u201cJerusalem: The Frontline of Displacement and Annexation and the Key to Just and Lasting Peace,<\/em>\u201d the Conference brought together senior government officials, religious leaders, diplomats, Â鶹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.<\/p>\n

Read the press release of the Committee on the Conference.<\/a><\/h3>\n

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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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s right to self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. As he stated: \u201cThe question of Jerusalem cannot be resolved through force or imposed facts, but through the will of peoples and the steadfastness of justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

The Conference also provided an important platform for interreligious dialogue. Muslim and Christian leaders reflected on Jerusalem\u2019s 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\u2019s legacy as a place of coexistence.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019s cultural and religious heritage, and support the rights of the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Programme<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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10-11\u202fa.m.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0OPENING SESSION<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Statements by:<\/span><\/p>\n