Egyptian leader urges Palestinians to accept coexistence with Israel

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Tuesday made an impassioned pitch for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, calling for both sides to take advantage of a "rare" opportunity to achieve the elusive goal.

El-Sissi broke from his prepared remarks to the United Nations General Assembly in classical Arabic to address Israelis and Palestinians informally in colloquial Egyptian Arabic, saying they should take advantage of an opportunity that "may not be repeated."

The Egyptian leader urged the Palestinians to seize the moment, which he views as ripe for peace.

He also tried to reassure Israelis by citing Egypt's long-established peace with their nation, which has lasted over 40 years, saying that "amazing" step can be repeated with the Palestinians.

"Do not hesitate," el-Sissi said addressing the Israeli public. "We are standing with you to make this step a success."

The Egyptian president asserted that "an independent Palestinian state" with east Jerusalem as its capital is "a necessary precondition for the entire region to [transition] into a new phase of stability and development."

El-Sissi also called on President Donald Trump to take advantage of an opportunity that could "write a new page of the history of mankind by establishing peace in this region of the world."

He also tried to reassure Israelis by citing Egypt's long-established peace with their nation, which has lasted over 40 years, saying that "amazing" step can be repeated with the Palestinians.

"Do not hesitate," el-Sissi said addressing the Israeli public. "We are standing with you to make this step a success."

The Egyptian president asserted that "an independent Palestinian state" with east Jerusalem as its capital is "a necessary precondition for the entire region to [transition] into a new phase of stability and development."

El-Sissi also called on President Donald Trump to take advantage of an opportunity that could "write a new page of the history of mankind by establishing peace in this region of the world."

El-Sissi's address came a day after he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, the first official meeting between the two leaders.