A high-level international conference organized by the Arab League and the Palestinian National Authority in support of Jerusalem was held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, February 12, 2023. The conference was held with Arab, regional, and international participation, based on a decision at the 31st Arab Summit held in Algeria in November 2022. Dozens of leaders and senior officials from Arab and Islamic countries attended.
The conference comes in the wake of escalating tensions and deadly violence in the city and beyond with the recent rise to power of the new extremist right-wing Israeli government. Its aim was to unify the Arab position and seek ways to support Palestinians in the city by financing development and investment projects proposed by the Palestinian National Authority.
“The timing of this conference should not escape anyone,” Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Fadi al-Hidmi reportedly told Palestine TV in his media appearances at the sidelines of the conference.
Al-Hidmi was referring to the recent calls by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to carry out a military operation, “Defensive Shield 2,” in East Jerusalem.1 The Palestinian side of the city was occupied by Israel and unilaterally de facto annexed on June 28, 1967.
The Cairo conference, “In Support of Jerusalem,” heard strong statements from King Abdullah of Jordan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi.