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Israel Encouraged by Egyptian Cooperation

(Ynet News) Attila Somfalvi - Israel is drawing encouragement from the cooperation with Egypt's ruling Higher Military Council over the recent deals to free Gilad Shalit and Ilan Grapel. Diplomatic sources said Thursday that "all in all the relationship with the council is a good one and it is completely clear at the moment that Egypt's interest is to maintain the peace treaty." A senior Israeli official stressed that the Egyptians demanded that the negotiations for the release of Ilan Grapel be held directly with Israel and not through an American intermediary. "There is an important message from the Egyptians who are signaling that they are interested in continuing cooperation." Diplomatic sources emphasized that "both Israel and Egypt have joint challenges in the terror and Islamization departments." Diplomatic sources also stressed that "the Muslim Brotherhood was gaining strength but they failed in presenting a presidential candidate, and the interest of any elected president would be to maintain the peace treaty. At this time, all the candidates are stating that they are committed to the treaty. The Egyptians know that without a peace treaty, the U.S. will withhold aid to Egypt and so in the short term the treaty is not expected to disintegrate." They also emphasized that Israel and Egypt have a joint interest in not allowing Iran to expand its hegemony in the Middle East, as well as preventing weapons from reaching the Sinai Peninsula.
2011-10-28 00:00:00
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