Egypt’s president calls Israel an enemy in summit address

In his closing remarks at the Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged for the need “to change our positions on the enemy’s view of us,” in a significant foreign policy move, according to the Middle East Monitor on September 16th.

The head of the State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, in reference to president Sisi’s use of the word “enemy” has stated that “the last time the word ‘enemy’ was used by Egypt’s top official, or by any state official, was before the peace treaty in 1977.”

“This is the first time the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has spoken the word ‘enemy’ since 11 November 1977, on the day President Sadat visited occupied Jerusalem, and it has not been repeated since. Its implications are very significant,” Rashwan said, explaining the significance of president Sisi’s remark.

He also stated that “the term matches the current reality, as Egypt is under threat, and only an enemy threatens national security.”

President Sisi said at the summit that the danger of displacing Palestinians represents “a red line that we will never accept under any circumstances.”

On August 29th it was reported that Egypt and Qatar had pledged to firmly oppose the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.

However, Egypt’s commitment to opposing Israel’s actions has been questioned due to the two nations expanding economic ties.

Egypt has extended a natural gas import deal with Israel that is valued at up to $35 billion, to last until 2040.

Rashwan also drew attention to president Sisi’s use of the phrase “the central cause” when discussing the Palestinian cause.

He stated that “this phrase was used in the past when the Palestinian cause began, but many either ignored it, forgot it, or felt we had to bury it, trusting that Israel was peaceful.”

Middle East Monitor/Maghrebi