The Heliopolis presidential palace, located in the district of the same name in Cairo, is an imposing neoclassical building that still shows remnants of the luxury hotel it was in the early 20th century. For years, it has functioned as one of the seats of political power in Egypt. Once the residence of Hosni Mubarak, it became a site of protests during the government of Mohamed Morsi, the precursor to the 2013 coup that brought the current president, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, to power. The president has kept Heliopolis as one of the presidential residences, which on Wednesday opened its doors to King of Spain Felipe and Queen Letizia.
The royal couple began the political part of the State visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Monument. They were then received at the palace by the president and his wife, Entissar Amer. Despite being a high-level visit, the festivities were toned down due to the situation in the Middle East, with the war in the Gaza Strip and the occupation of Palestinian territory in the background. "We cannot, nor do we want to, be indifferent to the reality that surrounds us," confessed King Felipe VI at the beginning of his speech during lunch, emphasizing that both Spain and Egypt "do not tire of denouncing the brutal and unacceptable suffering of hundreds of thousands of people."
"Spain supports initiatives like the plan you are promoting for the reconstruction of Gaza, so necessary for its population to regain their lives and dignity in that territory, which, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem, must be part of a viable Palestinian state that coexists in peace and security with Israel," stated King Felipe, outlining the territories that make up Palestine. "No matter how far away that goal may seem today - with everything that has happened and with the news and images that reach us daily - we must not falter in our efforts," insisted the Monarch.
Following the ground occupation of Gaza and statements from the Netanyahu government indicating that it will take months to destroy the city, Egypt and Qatar, the main mediators for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territories, warned of the "tragic" consequences for the Palestinian territories and "the entire Middle East" of the Israeli operation to occupy the city of Gaza, which they described as "reckless" and a "serious escalation," as reported by Efe. In this context, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned of the "catastrophic risks" that Israeli military operations pose for the entire region (the Middle East), which is on the brink of a new phase of total chaos due to Israel's imprudence and blatant arrogance. The minister stated in a release that this action "will inevitably harm the interests of all parties in the region and in the world, without exception."
In his remarks, the Egyptian president also addressed the situation in his country, with wars on all its land borders. "Spain is very aware of the serious challenge posed by the Palestinian issue and the direct threat looming over the political horizon for its resolution through the two-state solution, following the devastation of the war and the humanitarian catastrophe afflicting Gaza in an unimaginable way, in addition to the almost daily attempts to fragment the West Bank, either through rhetoric about its annexation or through the expansion of settlements in its occupied territories," President Al Sisi recalled.
He also praised Spain's role since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, mentioning "Spain's honorable and steadfast positions" in support of the peace process in the Middle East. "I would like to express my deepest appreciation for Spain's historic stance in defense of the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish their own state, as well as the decision to recognize Palestine at a time of special significance and sensitivity, placing itself among the first countries that, following the outbreak of the war in Gaza, adopted this just resolution that aligns with the right side of history.
Spain's support for a just and comprehensive peace in the region reflects its commitment to the principles of ethics, law, and justice, a position that we highly appreciate both officially and popularly. We trust that this support will continue and that we can continue working together to achieve lasting and just peace for the peoples of the region.
In this context, Spain seeks to position itself as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world. With Egypt being a key player in the region and the largest country in Africa, efforts have focused on strengthening the relationship throughout the year. "Long-lasting relationships must be nurtured," King Felipe expressed in this regard, highlighting: "Having received you in Madrid at the beginning of this year, the signing of the Strategic Alliance during your visit, which will project our relations into the future, and today, just half a year later, the Queen and I are here on this State visit that deeply honors us."
In a protocol gesture indicating the positive direction of the relationship, the Official State Gazette published on Wednesday the award of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic to Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic to his wife. Additionally, the President of Egypt has awarded the King the Nile Collar, the highest of Egyptian decorations, and Queen Letizia the Order of Al-Kamal (Order of Perfection) in the Premium or excellent class, reserved for those who stand out for their services to the country or humanity.