In first since 2007: Egypt foreign minister to meet Netanyahu in Israel

Prime minister says visit shows relations changing for better.

By HERB KEINON
Updated: JULY 10, 2016 17:06
Netanyahu discusses Egyptian FM's visit
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry's visit to Israel Sunday is an indication of the positive changes taking place in the Israeli-Egyptian relationship, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at Sunday's cabinet meeting.
Netanyahu told his ministers about the previously unannounced meeting, and said it was “important” for a number of reasons, including in light of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's recent call to move forward on the peace process both with the Palestinians and with the Arab States.
Netanyahu said that he would meet twice with Shoukry, whom he said was coming as Sisi’s emissary, once in the afternoon, and again in the evening.
He pointed out that the last visit by an Egyptian foreign minister was in 2007.
In 2010 Netanyahu visited Egypt where he met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, then US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and then Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Netanyahu's three predecessors, Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert, also visited Egypt a number of times.
Netanyahu thanked his envoy Yitzhak Molcoho for his efforts in setting up the Shoukry visit.